Shannon Plocharczyk

Tell us why you became a teacher

Ever since I was in first grade, I wanted to become a teacher. My best friend and I would play “teacher” outside at recess using a tree for a chalk board and talking to our imaginary students! Those were the best days of being a 6 year old! Because of the love and caring nature of my first grade teacher, she helped mold my future. I love kids and have always wanted to help them grow. My goal was to make their school experiences as good as mine were. Teaching is a passion and it certainly is mine

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I’ve taught kindergarten for the past 24 years, and this might not sound like a lot, but my most memorable experience is when those graduating kindergartners come back when they are seniors to visit me and tell me they are now 12th grade graduates and have become successful.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the money to help pay for my only daughter’s college and maybe help get her a car so she could commute back-and-forth in a reliable car.