Among her most memorable teaching experiences ... If she wins the America’s Favorite Teacher award, Sikora plans to use the $25,000 to support both her family and her classroom.

Students at Southwest Elementary already knew how special their teacher is. Now, the whole country does. She is a finalist in the Reader’s Digest “America’s Favorite Teacher” competition.

"What I treasure most, are the many individual student 'aha' moments where something finally clicks," Thrasher said to America's Favorite Teacher. "These little moments would occur weekly ...