Fort Zumwalt North Principal Nominated for National Award

October 1, 2014 O’Fallon, MO – Fort Zumwalt North High School Principal Joe Sutton has been nominated as a 2014-2015 national LifeChanger of the Year.

LifeChanger of the Year is a national program that annually recognizes and rewards K-12 school district educators and employees who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

Sutton was nominated by a parent, Bill Martin, and a student, Jessi Huston, who have experienced his positive leadership firsthand.

“My first day of freshmen year I walked by him, hardly knowing him, and he said ‘Hey, Jess!’ He had memorized the names and faces of all 400 freshmen,” said Huston.

“Mr. Sutton makes himself available to his students at all hours of the day and night, even going so far as to make his cell phone number available in case of urgent situations,” said Martin. “He truly is a LifeChanger and I feel lucky to have him as the Principal in my daughter’s school.”

Mr. Sutton’s dedication to his students has lead to academic achievements for Fort Zumwalt North. The school’s EOC (end of course) test scores are the highest in the district.

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations. Ten winners are selected 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 three winners are also honored at a national awards ceremony.

Nominees must be full-time school 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

Nominations for the program will be accepted through the end of January 2015 with winners to be announced in spring 2015.

To view Mr. Sutton’s LifeChanger of the Year nomination, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com

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