Shana Toth

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because when I was in 3rd grade, my teacher would force me to stay in at recess- because I am left handed and smeared my homework. While my classmates went outside, I was punished for something that could have been taught. Did she offer me a pen? Did she teach my to hold my pencil differently? No. I decided I would be THAT TEACHER who would help all "learn to hold their pencil differently," in whatever their circumstance dictated. I LOVE that I NOW teach 3rd grade!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When a student who spoke NO English came into my classroom. She looked PETRIFIED. I knew how to say bathroom and water in her language, and that was about it. The students were able to teach WAY MORE than I EVER COULD. I will never forget her first day. She saw butterfly window clings in my classroom, went over and said butterfly in her language. A student pointed to it, said "butterfly", and that's all it took. Next came a TON of translation/sharing and most importantly, LOVE happened.

What would you do with the $25,000?

First, I would purchase a smart board/Promethian board for my classroom. We do not have one, and I feel like the students would absolutely LOVE the chance to come to the front and use it. Secondly, I am in an OLD building. There are no fans and it gets HOT. Also, 90% of students come to my classroom without supplies. I would make sure that not only would my classroom have plenty of extras (crayons, folders...etc), but that all the classrooms that needed extra supplies would have them too.