I became a teacher to be the person who believes in students before they believe in themselves. Every day, I see how encouragement can turn doubt into confidence and effort into success. Teaching is about showing students their worth and reminding them they are capable of more than they think. Being part of that transformation is what inspires me to do this work every day.

One of my most memorable teaching experiences came years after a student left my classroom. He messaged me in college to say he earned an A in calculus and credited my Algebra-2 class for giving him the confidence and foundation to succeed. Moments like this remind me that teaching reaches far beyond the classroom and that believing in students can have a lasting impact on their lives.

With the $25,000, I would launch a student-driven math fair in the Utica area to give young people the chance to explore, create, and showcase their own projects, celebrating their curiosity and potential. I would also use part of the funds to hold a wedding ceremony for my husband and me, which we postponed in December due to high venue costs. It would be especially meaningful to celebrate with my alumni and current students, sharing a moment of joy with the community I teach and serve.