I had been a social worker and was disheartened at the number of young adults who felt they couldn't succeed in life without public assistance. I chose to go back to school to get a second degree so I could teach high schoolers and convince them they could do anything they set their minds to do. They just needed guidance and encouragement.

Honestly, I don't have just one. Every year I get several thank you letters from students around Thanksgiving and during Teacher Appreciation Week describing the impact I have had on them in their lives. My students have been calling me "Mama Son" for years. I am a school mom to the majority of my students. They inspire me to inspire them! Each class has its own dynamic and every day something memorable happens. I just love my students! They are all my kids!

I would pay off some debt, take a much-needed vacation, stock up my snack pantry for my students, start a college-savings account for my only grandchild, donate to St. Jude and some other charitable organizations and put the rest in savings. I have a lot of growing teenagers, so I buy them snacks and water out of my own money regularly. It becomes costly but they appreciate it and they are worth it! Students learn and focus better when they aren't hungry.