The national LifeChanger of the Year program that is sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation both recognizes and rewards the best educators and employees from K-12 public and private schools throughout the United States that are making a difference in the lives of their students by demonstrating excellence, positive influence and leadership.
During each school year, hundreds of nominations for the award come from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For the 2016-2017 year, a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year Awards will be given. Each winner will receive a cash award. This award is split between the individual winner and their school. Winners will be announced during a surprise award ceremony hosted at their respective school.
The top five winners will be honored during a national awards ceremony in Naples, Fla. The national grand prize is $10,000. Additionally, the National Spirit Award is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nominee.
Superintendent Steve Carlsen has nominated local teacher at Lighthouse High School, Wes Thompson, for this award. Thompson works hard with the students at LHS to ensure that they not only grow to understand math, but also learn to actually enjoy it. Thompson’s growth scores in Utah’s end-of-year tests are outstanding.
“Lighthouse High School is Carbon School District’s alternative high school. Wes Thompson is its math teacher and unofficial assistant principal,” said Carlsen. “He is a jack of all trades, but most importantly he truly touches kids’ lives.”
Thompson is a self taught guitar player and singer, not to mention an all-around music enthusiast. Next year he will teach a class that focuses on the arts, including guitar lessons, stage sound and lighting, crafts and a multitude of other art activities. Thompson reaches students and helps them come out of their shells through a mutual fondness of music.
Thompson served six years in the Gulf War on a nuclear powered battle ship after attending the US Navy’s Nuclear Power School. Thompson was one of 75 to complete the rigorous program, which began with over 600 Navy shipmates.
The LifeChanger of the Year program begins accepting nominations in early June in order to assure that graduating seniors have a way to give their thanks to the special teacher. Winners will be announced in spring of 2017.
A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at: https://lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/showspirit/.
To view Mr. Thompson’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit: www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.