Rosaura Rivera

Tell us why you became a teacher

When my daughters started school I felt that I had to be part of something special. I started working at a University as a sign language professor and I knew from the moment I started teaching that it was my calling… and my journey began.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

While working at a Deaf School in Puerto Rico, I was the English teacher(be aware that the school did not have a teacher for 2 years), it was very hard since we in PR share many signs with ASL. Even the simple words were confusing for them. After months of hard work one day when I got to school the students greeted me with a good morning and mouthed in English. Oh, my goodness! What a wonderful feeling! I started crying and crying. Tears of joy!

What would you do with the $25,000?

Well I just finished a 4 year long treatment for breast and ovarian cancer. After 11 surgeries and 98 pounds loss in the process I am ready to get back on my feet. I would like to go to Alaska to see the Aurora Borealis. I’ll will like to get a marmoset monkey to which I already have a license for and have been planning on for since I got my first treatment. I am currently working on my doctor’s degree. So from then on God only knows.