April 24, 2024
Celebrate Teacher Appreciation with Lifechanger
Learn about our 2023-24 National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year award winners!
With Teacher Appreciation right around the corner (May 9th), let’s take a look back at our 2023-2024 LifeChanger of the Year award winners. National Life Group’s LifeChanger of the Year program recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees across the country. We recognize individuals who demonstrate excellence, positive influence, and leadership in the lives of students through our program. These individuals have been chosen by our selection committee from 628 nominees nationwide. Since 2011, we’ve been able to recognize more than 7,400 school employees from more than 2,000 school districts and have awarded more than $725,000 to schools and school employees.
Grand Prize Winner
Ekuwah Moses
Engineering Teacher
D.L. Dusty Dickens Elementary School
Las Vegas, NV
As an educator, Ekuwah instills pride in her students and gives them the confidence to succeed, both in the classroom and beyond. She developed the Engineering Wall of Fame, which is located outside her classroom and is covered with student reflections and photographs. Students develop a purpose and see themselves as engineers through the Wall of Fame.
During her tenure, Ekuwah has also established herself as a leader for colleagues by hosting book studies focusing on integrating STEM across the curriculum to create deeper cohesion in STEM education at her school. Staff members often observe her instruction to gain insight into how she facilitates design challenges, strategies for reflective writing, vocabulary and diagramming strategies, and classroom management tips. Ekuwah also assisted the school administration in placing a large Title I order of STEM materials for the next school year to help teachers save money and provide accessibility to quality STEM education for students who may be economically disadvantaged.
Outside of school, Ekuwah has written two children’s books, including the #1 Amazon best-seller ‘My Name is an Address.’ The book uses alphabet letters to explain Moses’ life experiences, the meaning of her name, how it was chosen, and how her first and last name trace their origin back to a specific house in Ghana.
We and National Life Group are proud to have Ekuwah as this year’s Grand Prize winner and are giving her $10,000 to share with her school, plus a trip to Maui in May. Learn more.
GRAND PRIZE FINALISTS
LIFECHANGER AWARD WINNERS
School Counselor
Newton High School
Covington, GA
SPOTLIGHT AWARD
School Custodian
Everglades Elementary School
West Palm Beach, FL
The 2023-24 Spotlight Award was given to Americo Ramirez for going above and beyond as a school custodian. Americo received $5,000 to be shared between a $2,500 individual award and a $2,500 donation to his school.
What makes a LifeChanger?
Your nominee for LifeChanger of the Year must demonstrate the following characteristics:
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Student-centered approach that makes a positive difference in students’ lives
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Creating a positive school environment
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Leadership within his/her school and/or district
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Excellent professional performance record
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A commitment to creating a nurturing environment
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Maintaining high moral and ethical standards
Describe how your nominee demonstrates these characteristics on a daily basis.
You may nominate a maximum of three teachers or school employees. It is open to all K-12 public and private school employees, and all nominees will be notified by email regarding their nomination.
LIFECHANGER OF THE YEAR NOMINATION FORM
The best part? We’re just getting started! We’ll be traveling around the country over the next couple of months surprising this year’s other winners – stay tuned to see where we’re heading!
