Hillsboro Elementary School cross-categorical teacher Blake Kibler has been nominated for the 2016-17 national LifeChanger of the Year Award.
Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, the national LifeChanger of the Year program recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.
Kibler was nominated by a member of his community, Tyler Inman.
Kibler has been teaching handicapped students in grades 3-5 for the past six years. His students adore him for many reasons. For example, he has shown up to school in a full-size Iron Man costume to surprise his students. Additionally, he spends time with each student to really learn what they need to maximize their true potential.
“Mr. Kibler is a young professional that only sees the best in people,” said Inman. “I’m inspired by the extra effort that he puts into each day to make life better for his students. Mr. Kibler sets high morals and standards for his students and aides, and he cares about what is best for the students and school. He goes out of his way to make sure he changes at least one life every day.”
In addition to teaching, he was the eighth grade basketball coach for several years before he moved on to be the head basketball coach for Southern State Community College. He has also coached pee wee baseball for his son’s team. Throughout all of his coaching experiences, there was one common theme. The players and their parents all loved him and always wanted him to coach the following year because he has a way of making his athletes laugh, have fun, learn, listen and improve.
Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For 2016-17, there will be a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards. In addition, a 16th prize, the “National Spirit Award,” is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. Each winner will receive a cash award that is split between the individual winner and their school. The national grand prize award is $10,000. Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The top five winners will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in Naples, Fla. Winners will be announced in Spring 2017.
Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals.
A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/showspirit/.
To view Mr. Kibler’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.
Submitted by Matt Kane, communications consultant, LifeChanger of the Year.
