My path to teaching began in second grade, when a teacher saw a spark in me I hadn't yet found. Now, I strive to be that mirror for my students, ensuring their potential is never overlooked. By fostering resilience and turning 'I can’t' into 'I will,' I empower them to see that their voices—not their backgrounds—define their future.

I’ll never forget a student who struggled with her work, sobbing that she "just wasn't smart and couldn't do math." By breaking math into small, reachable victories, we slowly rebuilt her confidence. When she finally mastered the material, she didn’t just smile—she stood taller. It was an honor to see her mindset shift from 'I can't' to 'I can' and to watch her recognize her own potential."

I would use these funds to create an outdoor learning lab for our Pre-k - 5th grade campus. A place students could explore and investigate the world around them during structured and unstructured times.