Justin Thomas

Tell us why you became a teacher

My journey to becoming a teacher actually started with journalism. I enjoyed what I did, but didn’t feel I was doing enough for the world, and that ate away at me. I became a teacher because I wanted to do something where I felt like I was giving back and doing some good while also creating opportunities for kids. I truly believe that school is more than just academics, and I work hard to make sure my students are afforded a well-rounded experience.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I had a student who, as a junior in high school, was in danger of not graduating, but she was incredibly bright. She didn’t trust me at first, as I had the appearance and occupation that she had grown to distrust, and I understood. After months of building her trust, she one day looked at a Jason Reynolds book I had on my shelf and said, “What’s this about?” After I told her about the story and the author, she said, “Can I borrow this?” I almost cried, and I was so proud when she graduated.

What would you do with the $25,000?

This past summer, my fiancé and I tried to save our dog with a $20,000 surgery. She ended up passing away a day after the surgery, and we went into debt and into grief. If I won the money, I would use it towards getting ourselves out of financial stress, towards paying for our wedding, and towards gaining back the financial stability and security we lost. Thank you for your consideration!