I became a teacher because I believe every child deserves the chance to learn and feel valued. As a teacher in the Philippines and SPED teacher now in the U.S., I’ve worked with diverse learners and saw how the right support can build confidence and independence. This experience strengthened my passion to create inclusive classrooms where no child is left behind and every small success is celebrated.

My most memorable teaching experience was during the pandemic when classes suddenly stopped. I created educational videos at home using simple materials, often recording late at night and repeating takes to make lessons clear and engaging. It was exhausting, but worth it when parents shared videos of their children learning and smiling. It reminded me that teaching goes beyond the classroom, even in the most difficult times.

If I were given $25,000, I would use it to create more inclusive and engaging learning resources for my students, especially hands-on and visual materials that support different learning needs. I would also invest in technology to develop educational videos and tools that can reach learners beyond the classroom.