Tell us why you became a teacher

I’ve wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember, but my path didn’t start there. I spent 16 years in sales and marketing, always feeling a quiet pull toward something else. Deep down, I knew I wasn’t following my true purpose. Then one day, during a sales meeting everything changed. The presenter shared a quote: “What a man does for himself dies with him, yet what a man does for others lives on.” In that moment, I knew I needed to follow my dream to inspire others to discover theirs!

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable experiences as a third grade teacher was learning alongside my students as they launched their own skateboard company on our Design39Campus. Using the design thinking process, they brainstormed, pitched ideas, and built prototypes. Their passion led to a partnership with Sector9 Skateboards, turning their vision into reality. These young “kidtrepreneurs ” ultimately donated over $1,000 to a nonprofit in San Diego, proving the power of purpose-driven learning.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won $25,000, I’d start with a very honest teacher truth… teachers need a vacation! I’d travel, recharge, and soak in new cultures, ideas, experiences and inspiration from around the world, and maybe even “travel” to space through immersive learning experiences! Stepping away helps me return energized and creative. Every adventure becomes a story, lesson, and spark I can bring back to my design thinking classroom year after year to create richer learning experiences for my learners!