Shannon Sweeney

Tell us why you became a teacher

I can still remember the teachers that made a difference for me growing up, so I became a teacher to be that person for someone else. I wanted to be the person that made school a place that my students look forward to coming to each day. I think I was always meant to be that person.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

On the last day of school, during my first year teaching, I was dismissing and one of my special education students stopped before the door, looked at me and gave me the biggest hug before they started hysterically crying. They didn’t want to leave me for a new teacher. They didn’t want the school year to end. That was the moment that I realized I was doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing. I realized I was now the one of the teachers for them that I had and cherished throughout my own life.

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would pay off some of my school debt, help my family and put a large portion of it into my classroom. Many supplies that I buy for my students and my classroom come from my own pocket and I would love to be able to give my students more supplies, books and even other items they may need outside of school.