Beth Michelle Smith

I am a teacher because of the profound impact education had on me during my challenging childhood. School was my escape, and the teachers who believed in me gave me hope. My love of science offered a sense of discovery, and as a STEM teacher, I share that joy with my students. I teach them to explore and protect the natural world through hands-on activities like building pollinator gardens. I aim to inspire them to dream big and make a positive impact, just as my teachers inspired me.

In 2015, I worked with my students to create a monarch butterfly pollinator trail, planting milkweed and native plants to support their migration. Through this project, students witnessed the metamorphosis of monarchs and learned about ecosystems and biodiversity. It was a hands-on way to connect science with real-world impact, showing them how small actions like planting gardens can make a big difference. This experience inspired them to protect the environment and embrace discovery.

If I won the $25,000, I would help my two college-aged children pay off their student loans to ease their financial burden. Although we dutifully saved for college since their birth, both kids still had to take out loans. Education is a vital investment, and I want them to focus on their careers and dreams without the stress of debt. This support would give them the freedom to save, invest, and build a life of stability and opportunity, knowing their education was truly a stepping stone.