Sean Hackbarth

Tell us why you became a teacher

Having had the privilege of experiencing exceptional educators throughout my years of schooling, I was inspired to try and do for others what my teachers had done for me: open up the world of learning, exploration, inquiry, and connection.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

For me, the most memorable teaching experiences are the ones that were not necessarily noteworthy when they occurred, but years later, when students return to say hello as they near graduation or other life milestones, they bring up something that had happened in our classroom. The students share moments that impacted their learning, moments that helped bring them closer to their peers and to teachers, and moments that helped shape their journey so far.

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the prize money, I would seek out educational opportunities and chances for our students to experience and explore the topics that we discuss in ancient history class!