For Jessica Hopkins, pursuing a career in teaching was a no-brainer. Twelve years ago, she took a job at Atwood-Hammond Grade School, just a few miles away from where she grew up in Arthur, and began a career of educating young minds.

"She is a bright, encouraging light for students, families and staff here at my school," Principal Chris Forman said. "She is on my leadership team, and ready and willing to help out with anything and everything that is needed here at our school."

I find my work important because ... during the school year, I spend more of the day with my students than their families get to. Their families are trusting me to not only educate them and teach them, but to care for them, love them, comfort them and help shape them into respectful and responsible young people. It's both a great honor and responsibility.

I became a teacher because ... I have never imagined myself doing anything but teaching. I knew from such a young age that teaching was my passion and my responsibility in this world. I had amazing teachers that left big prints on my heart, and there is no greater honor than to be doing that for my students.

My favorite or most unique lesson that I teach is ... I love teaching all things math everyday, but my favorite unique activities have been making candy cars to demonstrate assembly lines in social studies, making robot hands and eye models in science, and integrating our animal-defenses unit with a novel about surviving in the wild, accepting others and kindness.

My most fulfilling moments on the job are when ... students lead their own learning. Watching students discover new things, challenge themselves and lead the way for others to learn is truly amazing.

I keep students engaged by ... connecting anything we are learning to their lives. When students can see how a topic or concept impacts their world or their life, they can understand its significance.

Something else I'm passionate about is ... the lake. Being at

the lake with my family and friends is one of my most favorite things in life.

My favorite teacher and subject to study in school were ... My favorite subject was science. I can remember each one of my K-12 teachers by name and face, so they've all been memorable and wonderful, and they all deserve to have their names mentioned here. But one teacher that left a big impact is Sandy Dolan, my fifth-grade teacher at Arthur Grade School. She was such a compassionate woman, with an inspirational amount of strength and determination. In addition to being a teacher and coach, she owned a local restaurant, which I know she never did for herself, but for her community. Her restaurant employed so many of her former students, and I remember when I was still in grade school, she paid me to go in and help clean so I could make money to pay for a basketball camp that she wanted me to attend. She wanted to make sure I had the means to get the opportunities to become better, and she wanted me to learn about working hard to earn my way. She also battled cancer when I was her student, and watching her fight with such grace, strength and determination was unforgettable. I know that I am only one of the many lives that she touched.

If I weren't a teacher, I would be ... a dolphin trainer, a therapy-dog owner, or a baby-rocker in the neonatal intensive care unit (if that's still a thing).

-- ANTHONY ZILIS