Tony Mark

Tell us why you became a teacher

Throughout high school, I struggled under the labels of ADHD and learning disabilities. While those years were difficult, they gave me a unique gift: the ability to see the world through my students' eyes. I chose to become a special educator because I know exactly how it feels to struggle, and I wanted to ensure that every student has a teacher who truly 'gets' them and believes in their abilities.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

​I recently heard from a former student of mine, and it’s a reminder of why we do what we do. Back in my third year of teaching, he was struggling with trauma and addiction. He was a brilliant artist, though his work was very dark back then. I took him under my wing daily just to make sure he knew someone was in his corner. ​Two years ago, he called me out of the blue to say he wouldn’t have made it without me. Today, he’s a millionaire and the creator of Godzilla for the new movie franchise. Ne

What would you do with the $25,000?

With the $25,000, my first priority would be to enhance my classroom’s reward system, ensuring that every incentive has a meaningful and lasting impact on my students. Additionally, I would dedicate a portion of the funds to my hometown’s scholarship foundation to support students through trauma-informed programs