Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher when I was at my lowest. I dropped out of Culinary School because my mental health was awful and I hated school. I moved back home and my best friend’s parents offered me a job at their Montessori school. I immediately fell in love with teaching and knew I needed to stay. Now I’m in my 3rd year and I couldn’t be happier! I get to be silly and play with kids and farm animals everyday! When you do something you love you never work a day in your life!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Everyday in my classroom is so different they are all memorable! But I think my favorite moment was at Christmas my first year, one student and her mom told me I brought a brightness and sunshine to the classroom. They also said I brought so much joy that even the harder days were fun! It made me feel like I was making a positive difference for these kids and that I was finally on the right track for myself!

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would use some to pay off student loans from dropping out of school, and some to buy a newer car than the one I have because it is falling apart and soon I won’t be able to drive to work! My 2011 Sonata can only do so much when it has almost 300k miles!