New Monmouth Elementary School Nurse Nominated For Award

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — A school nurse at New Monmouth Elementary has been nominated for a 2021-2022 national LifeChanger of the Year award, an annual education award sponsored by a Texas-based life insurance company.

The New Monmouth nurse is Catherine Grano. If she wins the top prize, she could receive $10,000 to be shared with her school and school district.

Grano was nominated by her colleague, Eileen Gavin, who is also a school nurse at New Monmouth.

Grano has worked in Middletown schools for the past thirteen years.

"It is with great pride and enthusiasm that I nominate my colleague Cathy Grano, MSN, RN, CSN-NJ, for the LifeChanger of the Year award,” Gavin said. “ I have had the pleasure of partnering with Cathy, both as co-lead nurse in the Middletown School District and on many school health initiatives over the past thirteen years. Her commitment to our school community and her passion for her school practice continue to inspire me. Cathy exemplifies the best of school nursing.”

At New Monmouth, Grano launched something called "Wellness Warriors," which teaches wellness to schoolkids and includes activities like walking clubs and healthy eating initiatives. Grano is also part of the Middletown Backpack Crew, which works to address food insecurities in the school district and identify and help Middletown kids who may not have enough to eat.

You can read Grano's nomination page here: http://app.lifechangeroftheyea...

You can show your support for her here: https://www.lifechangeroftheye... but the public cannot technically vote to help her win.

Gavin says Grano "represents 21st century school nursing practice in action. She wholeheartedly embraces her role while keeping the students’ families and school community in the forefront of her school practice."

The awards are sponsored every year by the National Life Group, a company located in Vermont and Texas that sells insurance and annuities. The insurance company, which has been in business for the past 170 years, every year seeks to recognize and reward the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States, via their LifeChanger of the Year award.

The insurance company says they are looking for teachers "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. Here is this year's past winner: https://www.lifechangeroftheye...

Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals, and will be announced in early 2022.

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

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