Tell us why you became a teacher

While many enter education for a love of a subject, my focus is the students themselves. I ensure they have the tools to navigate a world that might otherwise silence them. In my Professional Communication classes, I teach self-advocacy as a survival skill. Through coaching and the CHOSEN group, I foster expectations and filling the "missing pieces" in their lives. My mission is to build a legacy where every student leaves with a voice that is heard and spirit that refuses to be ignored.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most rewarding experience was at graduation when a student, who once struggled with her own choices, introduced me to her mother. She told her, "Momma, it’s because of this woman you see me graduate tonight. Without her love and support, I wouldn’t be walking." Witnessing her reclaim her narrative and succeed is the heart of why I teach. I strive to ensure every student feels seen and supported enough to reach their full potential, proving that mentorship changes lives.

What would you do with the $25,000?

This $25,000 would be the perfect "seed money" to provide a safe, structured after-school environment for local youth to develop discipline and musicality. Instead of a standard vacation, I could take a "Working Sabbatical" to places that fuel my passion for communication and auxiliary arts, take private masterclasses with world-class directors and choreographers to sharpen my own skills for the "Titan Legacy."