Amy Berry - Teacher at Sharon Dawes - Nominated for LifeChanger of the Year Award

Briana Warner

2/5/2019

Sharon Dawes Elementary School fourth grade teacher Amy Berry has been nominated for the 2018-2019 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Berry was nominated by her colleague, Angie Slater, for dedicating her life to teaching students. She listens to the needs of her students, and she goes above and beyond the call of duty to help them. If any of her students need anything, such as materials, clothing, or food, she provides it to them, no questions asked.

Berry will dress up for activities to get her students interested in what they are learning. She does hands-on activities to make her class fun, and her students enjoy them to the point where they don't realize they are learning. She is even available to both current and former students after the bell rings at the end of the day. When she had to miss work due to battling cancer, she FaceTimed her class to check in on them.

"I've worked with her for seven years, and I've never met anyone like her," said Slater. "She teaches me something new every day. There are many teachers that care for their students, but Amy is one of a kind. You can ask anyone that knows her and they will tell you the same.”

About LifeChanger of the Year

Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Seventeen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2018-2019 school year.

(1) Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school/district.

(4) Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.

(10) LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district.

(1) Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.

(1) Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. For 2018-19, the Spotlight Award will be given to a nominee who works in a counseling role (e.g, guidance counselor, social worker). The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school or district.

Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The grand prize finalists will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in April 2019 in Hawaii, where the Grand Prize Winner will be revealed.

Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees. To be considered for an award, nominees must

Make a positive impact in the lives of students

Enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride

Demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level

Possess a proven record of professional excellence

Show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning

Adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards

A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyear.com/showspirit/.

To view Ms. Berry’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.