Tell us why you became a teacher

As cliche as it sounds, I truly believe teaching is a calling. I have wanted to be a teacher ever since I was in elementary school because I had teachers who inspired me and challenged me to grow on my own educational journey. As an educator, I want to do for my students what my teachers did for me—I want to help them grow as human beings and help them discover just how amazing it is to learn. I want to uplift them and make them curious so that they never want to stop learning.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I’ve been teaching for almost 25 years, and one moment from last school year really stands out for me. At the beginning of every year, I tell my students that it’s okay to make mistakes because mistakes help us learn. While I was doing the end of the year assessments with my kindergarten class, one student realized that she had made a mistake. She didn’t get upset or frustrated—instead, she turned to me with a big smile on her face and said, “It’s okay Mrs. Stewart. Mistakes help us learn!”

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would be beyond a blessing for my family and I, as we have been struggling financially since last year, as I was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer. I underwent chemo and a stem cell transplant, and I have been unable to work since the second week of the school year. The $25,000 would allow my family and I to pay off some bills and hopefully with any leftover money, we would be able to take an epic family road trip next summer if I am well enough. Making memories is priceless.