James Allen

Like many educators, several teachers shaped me into who I am today. For me, the teacher, not the content, made a class enjoyable; they were the reason I had such a positive and impactful educational experience growing up. I wanted to be that teacher, the one kids knew they could come to and the reason they looked forward to class, even if it wasn’t their favorite subject. Positive student relationships also motivate me as an educator, I look forward to school each day because of these students.

One of my most memorable teaching experiences has been creating “What’s Good in the Last 24?” a start of class activity that became a school-wide tradition. Every Friday, our principal, two students, and I interview staff and students about something positive and share it on social media. “What’s Good?” has become a major part of our school culture and community, inspiring other schools and graduates at their universities to start their own versions, reminding us to always look for the positive.

If awarded the $25,000 prize, we originally planned to put it toward an addition to our home. However, life comes at you fast, and we had to unexpectedly bring our beloved dog, Jenny (@riverdogjenny on IG), in for emergency surgery. While we are in the very early stages of recovery, we know there are many unknowns moving forward. We’d use the $25,000 to pay for current and future medical bills. Our family, friends, and students know she is everything to us and we will do anything for her.