Teresa Uhles

Tell us why you became a teacher

The world is changing rapidly, and my primary goal is to equip my students with the tools they need to navigate it. I believe that a successful future isn't just about academic knowledge—it's about developing resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong curiosity. There is a unique magic in working with young students. Their perspectives are unique and their capacity for wonder is limitless. Being surrounded by that energy every day keeps me inspired. I find joy in the "lightbulb moments" .

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My amazing 3rd grade class worked on the plastics problem. They constructed recycled t-shirt bags to reduce the amount of single stream plastic bags their families used. They also created a "Plastics Pledge" and encouraged other students at school to join their cause. They took ownership of this project and changed the mindset of our student body.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would love to be able to clean up our amazing outdoor spaces and have "Goats to Go" come help us with honeysuckle abatement and restore our woods to native plants. The honeysuckle is an invasive species that has taken over our spaces. We would eradicate and then restore our woods to Missouri Native Plants. This would be such an amazing learning opportunity for our students.