Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to recreate the magic of my fourth-grade classroom. My teacher made learning fun by bringing her world into ours; she was human, funny, and authentic. Seeing 'what made her tick' inspired me to do the same. I want to build that same connection with my students—learning about their passions while sharing my own—to show them that education is a shared, human experience.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One year, I had a class of 33 students, including a girl who had moved to the U.S. just the day before school. She spoke no English, and I didn't know her native language. Despite the challenge of being in a new school myself, my students and I rallied around her. By the end of 4th grade, she was reading at a 2nd-grade level—a massive leap. She graduates high school this year, and I couldn’t be prouder of the foundation we built for her.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I’m being honest? I’d start by paying off my student loans and getting new tires for my car—nothing flashy, just the essentials. Then, I’d focus on my students: buying them headphones and finally taking them on the field trip we never get to go on. To wrap it up, I’d get my cats a new tower and donate to the rescue I adopted them from. I'm a simple person with simple goals.