Tell us why you became a teacher

I didn't know I wanted to be a teacher until I started working at an after-school program in college called Walt's Place. I loved working with the disadvantaged kids that lived near Valparaiso University. It felt like a calling to help give kids the opportunity to work towards becoming anything they wanted to become. I valued the mentorship role I had with these kids and still keep in touch with a few of them today.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable experience began on March 13, 2020—the last day I saw my students for six months as the COVID-19 pandemic closed our schools. It was a difficult and uncertain time, but watching my colleagues pour their hearts into finding new ways to teach, and seeing students push through the challenges of online learning, was deeply inspiring. Their resilience and dedication is something I will never forget.

What would you do with the $25,000?

There are a lot of things I would consider doing with $25,000. If I could spread it around, I would like to take my mother to see Europe, as it is something she has always wanted to do. I would like to remodel my bathroom shower as it is currently leaking. I would like to pay off some of my debt. I would like to continue my family’s community Christmas light tradition. And, I would like to help purchase a new score board for the high school soccer team I coach.