Shirethia chase

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher so I could help kids understand that life is real and everyday is real life. I love learning from them because they really know more than us, and I ask questions all the time to see if they understood. One reason is I love having my summers off to spend time with my own kids and to travel.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have had quite a few experiences but just this year a got a new student. Some of the girls were trying to say this young man was making fun of their disability. The little girl claimed he had made fun of her because she was going to dyslexia class. But when I ask him , he said he did not know Lexia! I laughed so hard that I cried. I knew right then that those girls were not telling the truth.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won this 25,000 I would take my daughter to Japan because this is something she wants to do and use the rest for her college fund since we have to pay for college.