Victoria Martinez

Tell us why you became a teacher

I despised school as a child because learning did not come easily to me. Yet, after being a flight attendant for two years, I felt empty inside; my soul craved more. I knew I wanted more out of life. I was driven by the idea that my story could help those who felt lost. I chose to get a masters in education with a focus on behavior because I wanted to work with students whose scars were in desperate need of love.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

My most memorable teaching experience was in 2006 when I founded a leadership program. What started out as behavior contracts for three troubled boys morphed into a leadership program for an entire community! These three boys, whom many of my fellow teachers labelled as "thugs", became the most energetic leaders of our campus. That year, 28 students became mentors and leaders in their community. It was a moment in my career that continues to remind me that anything is possible.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would pay off debt so we didn't have to live stressed out pay check to pay check. Or, I would use it to escape and relax on a nice long Alaskan cruise trip so that I could witness the beauty of nature I only see on TV. Wouldn't that be amazing?