Roxboro Elementary Teacher Nominated For LifeChanger Award

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH — A Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District teacher is up for a national award. Roxboro Elementary music teacher Jenna Tucker is one of the nominees for the 2017-2018 LifeChanger of the Year.

The award recognizes teachers that make a difference in students' lives by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership. Teachers from across the United States are eligible for the award.

Nominees must be put forward by a colleague. In Tucker's case, she was nominated by Kristi Glaser.

Tucker has been a music teacher for 12 years, but has been with Roxboro for a short amount of time, according to her nomination form. She has created an honor chorus and helped fifth grade students get ready for a production of Shrek: The Musical.

"Each time I enter the classroom on these days, the children are eager to share what they have done with Mrs. Tucker," Glasier said in the nomination form. "Most recently, she shared a book about people's 'buckets' and how kindness can fill other people's buckets."

The nominating form from Glaser said Tucker's lesson plans are engaging and the veteran music teacher considers every minute of student-teacher interaction precious.

"Mrs. Tucker is a natural leader, a positive human being, and an exemplary educator," Glasier said. "She is a workshop clinician for ORFF-Schulwerk methodology and is always looking for ways to enhance student learning experiences. Our district is fortunate to have her as a member of our staff."

The LifeChanger committee will sort through hundreds of nominations and then give out 17 awards. The awards, according to a press release from LifeChanger, are:

• (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 will be announced in surprise celebration ceremonies at their schools. 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.

To read Jenna Tucker's full nominee profile, click here.

Photo from Amanda Mills, CDC