Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher after volunteering in schools and community centers. I fell in love with helping students improve their reading and writing skills. I joined organizations helping the community and offered to help donate books to students in forgotten neighborhoods. I saw what joy books were to the children receiving them, and felt immediately destined to continue.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Having taught students locally, public school, privately, and all over the world, connections hold great value, especially for students. During Covid, learning took us out of isolation. Returning meant opportunities for significant reconnection. I have since had opportunities to teach with a newer, more impactful understanding of my students’ cognitive and personal needs. Stories came alive through STEAM & Reading connections and students’ scores excelled to amazing levels.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I want to help students visually connect how their brains strengthen when they understand HOW their brains work. [No matter whether learning challenges exist.] I want to create a program, workshop, puppet show, and picture books teaching the importance of their brains to them. Helping students make the connection they have the power to strengthen their brains through daily actions, tasks, and activities. I would, also, ALWAYS continue to donate books, math, and science learning materials.