Connect Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I wanted to share my love of reading and also contribute to help youth thrive. The best way to combat poverty is to get an education. This doesn't mean just to get good grades. I try to teach my students life skills: organization, team work, communication, responsibility, and empathy. These are invaluable skills that are needed to not only be successful in a career but also be happy and satisfied in life.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

The majority of high schools students nation-wide are below grade-level in their reading. With my students, I have watched these young people hold fast to the opportunities that my team and I presented them and succeed vastly. Each year at least 40% of my students in the program made honor roll...for the first time ever. Nothing is better than seeing students realize they're capable of big things. The end of the year awards ceremony always leaves me in tears. It's the best night of the year!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use the money to pay off debt & also use it as a spring board for establishing my reading foundation. The foundation will offer assessments/tutoring for students, provide resources for parents, & fund scholarships for those wanting to be teachers. Teachers want to close the literacy gap but don't know how. I want to push for high quality teacher training & use the recognition as a platform to advocate for literacy instruction backed by the science of reading.