Tell us why you became a teacher

I love reading and writing. That love was nourished and fed by an amazing high school English teacher Mr. Edom at East Union in Manteca, Ca. He pushed me and gave me the structure and space to think and explore, to ask questions, and to hone my craft. I absolutely loved it and decided that I wanted to inspire kids in that same way. I always thought I would teach high school, but ended up in middle school and have never looked back. I have been teaching middle school English for 11 years.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was my second year teaching honors English at Morada Middle School in Stockton, Ca. I had really gained an understanding of how to teach writing best and loved to push the high level students. A former student returned to visit often and he explained how there were so many things he learned and skills he honed the previous year in my 8th grade honors class that made his ELA 9 honors class so much more accessible. It was that wink every teacher needs!

What would you do with the $25,000?

Use it to help my family buy a house and spend some on my classroom-which is a creative outlet and safe comfortable space for my students to learn. Right now, it is Disneyland themed.