KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Salvador Perez takes a break from home plate and steps into the Shark Tank.

It’s the second annual Teach For America Shark Tank: Teacher edition where teachers pitch their ideas hoping the sharks will provide funding.

Finding solutions to problems is what math teacher, Isao Osuga, does every day whether that’s in English or Spanish.

When another growing issue hit Alta Vista Charter High School, Osuga came up with an idea.

“After seeing the health levels of our students, I think it would greatly benefit if we could offer something for them such as a healthy, nutritious juice in the morning for them to start their day,” he said.

His project, green juices for breakfast, will be pitched at the Teach For America Shark Tank: Teacher edition. Six corps members and alum will be vying to have their idea funded. Four sharks will decide how the money doled out.

“We were shocked to find out that $1.6 billion comes out of teachers pockets annually. That’s already for folks who are underpaid as I mentioned. This is our opportunity to take a bite out of that figure,” said
Chris Rosson, the TFA KC Executive Dir.

With the help of Hallmark and ticket sales, a jackpot of $25,000 will be up for grabs. The project pitches range from field trips to mobile classrooms, anything that will benefit students.

“We live in a food desert so trying to get all the resources needed is going to be the most challenging aspect of this project,” Osuga said.

Osuga is hoping to walk away with $6,000 to jump start a healthier lifestyle for his students.

The event started at 6 p.m at the Gem Theater.