Katie Caprara

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher to homeschool my son—once he was off to high school I thought teaching in a classroom was a natural transition—and I haven’t looked back! I love working with children, guiding them on a journey to love learning. Nurturing creativity in each student brings me joy. Wanting to be part of my own child’s path showed me how incredible teaching is, and I knew I wasn’t finished even when my homeschool journey ended.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable teaching experiences was when my first graduating 8th grade art student was accepted into a specialty high school program for the arts. Having watched them work so hard, diligently taking my advice and even constructive criticism, it was incredible to share their excitement upon receiving the letter saying they’d made it. Children show us how possible it is to feel true and genuine joy outside of ourselves.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Honestly? Pay off medical debt. My salary is incredibly low, and comes with no health benefits whatsoever. I suffered an illness last school year that required hospital stays and so many doctor visits, all while not being paid for the three months I was off. This meant paying out of pocket with no income. My school is incredible—we are a safe landing spot for students that don’t find what they need anywhere else, but we are sorely underfunded and unfortunately my family took a hit last year.