Hillcrest HS Teacher Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award

Hillcrest High School social studies teacher Caroline Snyder has been nominated for the 2016-17 National LifeChanger of the Year Award.

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

Snyder, who has worked at Hillcrest for the past 13 years, was nominated by her principal, Dr. Renee Simms. She is the sponsor for several school organizations and clubs, including Junior Leadership, Mock Trial Team, School Improvement Committee, Rising Star Committee and the Instructional Practices Inventory (IPI) Team. Snyder also organizes the school's prom each year.

“Ms. Snyder is someone who truly loves students and wants to help make her school and community the best it can be,” said Simms. “What I’m most proud of, however, is her involvement with the Mock Trial Team. She took a small team and built it up with her students, eventually going on to win a regional competition and attend the state competition last year. It shows that she has made a significant impact on our school. We’re blessed to have her as a LifeChanger.”

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For 2016-2017, there will be a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards. In addition, a 16th prize, the “National Spirit Award,” is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. Each winner will receive a cash award that is split between the individual winner and their school. The national Grand Prize award is $10,000. Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The top five winners will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in Naples, Florida. Winners will be announced in Spring 2017.

Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. Nominees must be 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's atmosphere
• Is involved in leadership activities at the school and/or community level
• A demonstrative record of excellent performance at the professional level
• A commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere
• Adherence to high moral and ethical standards

Ms. Snyder’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile