Support Avenue City School’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee!
Avenue City School District, Elementary Classroom Teacher nominated for National ‘LifeChanger of the Year’ Award
December 26, 2015 – Avenue City School District, First Grade Teacher, Cindy Nelson has been nominated for the 2015-2016 national LifeChanger of the Year award.
LifeChanger of the Year is a national program that annually recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and employees who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.
Avenue City Elementary School is known for being a great place for children to learn. This would not be possible without “life changers." Someone once said, “A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning.” Many generations of students at Avenue City Elementary have had – and continue to have – the blessing of such a teacher. Since 1989, Cindy Nelson has become synonymous with Avenue City School District.
Mrs. Nelson began her career at Avenue City. Her twenty-seven year career has been dedicated to students in pre-school, kindergarten, and first grade. In 1989, her classroom had no technology – not even a phone! Her common sense teaching strategies, use of technology, love of students and instructional techniques have helped teach children to think creatively so that they may succeed in a complex and ever-changing world.
Mrs. Nelson’s biggest strength is her ability to see the “whole” child. She analyzes each child’s strengths and weaknesses. Her focus has always been on the strengths of the individual so that they experience success in and out of the school environment. This ability helps students and their parents achieve the best possible outcome from their educational experience. Her common sense approach and obvious love for children help parents feel at ease . She works with the parents of each student to teach their children how to be good students and responsible citizens.
For the past several years, Cindy has had the pleasure of teaching her former students' children. When parents in the community register their children for school, they often ask, “Is Mrs. Nelson still at Avenue City? I hope so. She taught me and I was hoping she would teach my child also.” This comment alone proves without a doubt that Mrs. Nelson is a LifeChanger! She has changed generation after generation at Avenue City School.
Mrs. Nelson’s teaching does not stop with her first grade students. She has trained over fifteen student teachers from local colleges and universities. During this training, she fills a dual role of not only teaching a teacher, but also making sure her first graders are still receiving a “top-notch” education. Many of these soon-to-be professionals have said that being in her classroom has taught them more than they learned from their professors. She has mentored student- teachers and many new teachers in the district. Mrs. Nelson was also the director of district-wide professional development for all staff members. Teachers at Avenue City School feel blessed to learn from one of the best. She inspires hope, ignites their imaginations, and instills them with a love of learning.
Mrs. Nelson is a true LifeChanger – she has changed the life of many generations and helped the Avenue City community become a great place for children to learn!
Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations. Fifteen winners are chosen by the selection committee to receive cash awards that are split between the individual winner and their school. The National Grand Prize Award is $10,000. The top five Grand Prize Finalists will also be honored at a national awards ceremony.
Nominees must be full-time school or school district employees. Award winners are selected based on the following criteria:
- A proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students
- An ability to positively add to the development of the school and/or district’s atmosphere
- A leader in his or her activities at the school and/or district level
- A proven record of excellent performance at the professional level
- A commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere
- Adherence to high moral and ethical standards
Nominations for the program will be accepted until 15 January 2016 with winners to be announced in spring 2016.
To view the LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile for First Grade Teacher, Cindy Neslon, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit https://lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/cindy-nelson/. Comments are encouraged and are noted by the selection committee as indicators of the selection criteria.