Mandi Zola

Tell us why you became a teacher

As the oldest of four children, I was always playing games with my siblings at home...many involving me being the teacher, and my siblings being my students. My mom taught prek (speech pathologist also) and I used to love helping out in her classroom during my breaks or days off from school if the schedules aligned. Even though in undergrad, I didn't initially go into education, it seemed like a natural move to transition into the classroom--eventually getting my MA in Early Childhood Ed.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

When I left teaching PreK, and started at a new school teaching 1st grade. A new school, new curriculum, new age group, and a new co-teacher (also brand new to the school and teaching!). Needless to say, it was pretty overwhelming at first, but I think out of my 17 years teaching, I learned the most that year. I jumped into collaborating with someone else who was also navigating 1st grade for the first time. A few months of 'uncomfortable' was essential to my professional and personal growth.

What would you do with the $25,000?

Being newly engaged and very much thinking about my future as an educator (being a working mother, and helping support a family), I would put it towards a down payment on a home that would help give us more room as we think about starting a family in the near future (we have been saving up!). Perhaps I would invest $5,000 into the market in hopes it would continue to grow for our future.