Stephanie Eichman

I became a teacher because I wanted to help kids who are at-risk and to build positive, lifelong relationships. While growing up, I was considered to be at risk. My dad was the supervisor on a drilling rig. We had to move every 3-6 months to go where the work was. My brother and I were always playing catch up in school and trying to make new friends from having to move so often. I remember feeling so lost and can't recall the name of one teacher who helped me with those feelings.

My first year of teaching kindergarten I had a little boy named Santiago. He didn't know any letters or sounds. For his name, he would draw a heartbeat, like what you would see on a hospital monitor. As he learned a letter, he would write the letter and the rest would be the heartbeat. For example; S-heartbeat, Sa-heartbeat, etc. This continued until he learned all the letters in his name. The day he wrote his full name, brought tears to my eyes. I still get chills thinking of that day!

With the money, I would buy things for my classroom and students that I've been wanting such as seating options and ability level books for my most struggling readers. Books they can take home to begin building their own libraries. After going to Hawaii, (my childhood dream), I'd travel to Europe to learn about my ancestors and where they came from.