Tracy Menard

Tell us why you became a teacher

I always knew I was going to become a teacher. My parents figured it out when I would drag my younger siblings into the basement and make them do my elementary school workbooks during the summer. Both my siblings skipped a grade of elementary school by the way.I struggled narrowing down subjects I wanted to pursue but my true love is psychology; figuring out how the brain and the body work together. I think knowing this has made me a better teacher.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

Every day something memorable happens and after a year, all those memorable experiences tend to blend together and now after 25 years in the classroom, there are too many to count. I love seeing students like up and get excited about anything literally. Excited students are what make my day!

What would you do with the $25,000?

In one of my electives, I teach students how to write grants. I love walking them through this process and teaching them how to be clever with spending money. What myself and my students have learned is that a little bit can go along ways. I would love to spend a portion to infuse more service oriented projects within my building and give those kids a voice to grow some pretty cool ideas to improve the academic climate in our building !!! It also would be great to not pay out of pocket for stuff