Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted to help people like they helped me in the hospital. I was hit by a car in my senior year of high school. I was in a coma for a month and I was disabled. They helped me a great deal. I wanted to teach disabled children so I became a special education teacher. I am so grateful to have had people to help me learn that I want my students to be grateful to have me.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

It was the year I taught a small class setting. I had a girl transfer to my class from a regular general education setting into my small special education class. The mother was so grateful she told me her daughter has come out of her shell and feels comfortable with me in the class. She said, she never saw her daughter like this. She told me she will never forget ne and my love I gave for my students.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would save it for my daughter’s college tuition. She is a junior now. She made the National Honor Society, she is taking all IB classes, and plays two sports. We are going to look at colleges during spring break. She is amazing and I can’t wait to see all the wonderful things she accomplishes!