Tell us why you became a teacher

My high school math teacher would say I always knew how to break concepts down and help others understand. I even said I’d be a college professor one day—while that's not exactly what happened, I LOVE teaching! I teach for students who don’t feel seen, who need a safe place and someone to remind them they’re capable. Math isn’t a monster if you follow my rule: #AlwaysBelieve. Watching students achieve what they once thought was impossible is what keeps me coming back.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable moments came when a senior told me, “Because of your patience, I finally know how to solve a linear equation.” This was in Geometry, after he had already taken the course twice, along with Algebra I and II. He wasn’t at the top of his class—he was a student who had nearly slipped through the cracks. We kept working, and when it finally clicked, that moment became one I’ll never forget.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If selected, I’d use the $25,000 to directly impact both my in-the-classroom students and my virtual Business Professionals of America students—purchasing mobile projector set-ups for competition, expanding hands-on learning resources, and increasing tutoring support so every student has access to what they need to succeed. I’d also invest in professional growth to bring even stronger, more innovative instruction back to my classroom.