Bria Hays

Tell us why you became a teacher

I truly never thought about doing anything else as a career. Since I was a little girl, I remember playing school in my bedroom with my oldest sister. My grandma owned a daycare when I was younger and hired people just to take care of me while I spent my days in the nursery. It inspired me to be the one people hired to take care of the students.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Memorable teaching experiences happen to me every day. A memorable one was just yesterday when one of my students asked to hold my hand just because. It is moments like this that you realize these kids spend more time with you than they do anyone else. The impact you make on them is just as big as the impact they make on you.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would give some of the money to my school. Friends School is a nonprofit, nonsectarian, cooperative school. Our mission is to provide an exclusive, non competitive, student centered, dynamic educational program where individual differences are respected and celebrated. It is a place that has done so much for me that the first thing I would do is give back to it.