North Babylon Educators Nominated For National Award

NORTH BABYLON-DEER PARK, NY - From Life Changer of the Year: Marion G. Vedder Elementary School fourth grade teachers Christine Keane and Darren Lotter have been nominated for the 2017-2018 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

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

Both educators were nominated by their principal, Kerry Larke.

Keane has been at the Marion G. Vedder Elementary School for over 16 years, and consistently brings positive experiences into her classroom. She has been a mentor for numerous students and has been a long-standing member of the Site Based Management Team.

"She exemplifies the saying 'they may not remember what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel,’" Larke said. "Mrs. Keane's students walk away from her classroom feeling loved and supported.”

Lotter has been a teacher in the North Babylon School District for over 20 years teaching grades 3-5 and is the co-chair of the Student Council. He has been an asset to his colleagues as the building-wide science coordinator, and was involved in the creation of a new Science Lab.

"What a great feeling to know that you have made such a positive impression in a young person's life," Larke said. "Mr. Lotter is truly a LifeChanger."

Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Seventeen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2017-2018 school year.

· (1) Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school/district.

· (4) Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.

· (10) LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district.

· (1) Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.

· (1) Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. For 2017-2018, the award was given to Debra Santiago, who works as a secretary and bookkeeper in Orlando, FL. She received $5,000 to share with her school, Timber Lakes Elementary School.

Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The grand prize finalists will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in spring 2018 in Bermuda, where the Grand Prize Winner will be revealed.

Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. 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

A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyear.com/showspirit/.

To view Mrs. Keane and Mr. Lotter’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profiles, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.

Photos courtesy of Life Changer of the Year