America's Favorite Teacher

Placed 3rd

in the Quarter-Finals

Thank you for supporting Katie Cook in this year's competition. Your donations and participation will benefit The Planetary Society in their mission to advance space exploration, inspire discovery, and empower the next generation of innovators.

Tell us why you became a teacher

As a high school senior, I was in a mentoring program for kindergarteners; one of my students was highly intelligent but struggled socially due to a lack of attention at home. The other was a girl who was a social butterfly but struggled academically. Through these two, I recognized that all children need support regardless of background, socioeconomic status, or parental input. I also experienced learning from an incredible high school English teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience happened about 3 years into my career. I had a young girl who would not respond to me or my teaching positively. I reached out at Christmas to her dad and learned she did not have positive female role models in her life which led to her sarcasm and disrespect toward me as a young, female teacher. I adjusted my approach with her, opting for a gentler, more consistent response, and she completely changed how she reacted to and learned from me.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would add to the college fund for my own personal children, pay off some debt, expand my classroom library my students use for daily, independent choice reading, take my children to Disney World for the first time, and work on some much-needed repair projects at my house.

Colossal is a nationally registered professional fundraiser that inspires people to advocate for themselves and those in need. Through online competitions like America's Favorite Teacher, Colossal offers participants the opportunity to make their mark while also making a big impact.

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Katie Cook

Placed 3rd

in the Quarter-Finals