Johanna Lopez, a World Languages Resource Teacher from Orange County Public Schools in Florida was surprised on Tuesday during a televised school board meeting.
She learned that she is one of the 15 educators nationwide to be selected as a 2016-2017 National Life Group LifeChanger of the Year.
Superintendent Barbara Jenkins nominated Johanna, beginning her nomination with a Spanish phrase – “Crecemos juntos.” Or, in English, “We grow together.”
Johanna brought those words to life by helping the AP Spanish program at Colonial High School grow from 100 students in a few classes to over 400 students in a record 12 classes.
The program’s teachers use their appreciation for the Spanish culture to help their students grow. It’s a program where students feel valued, and are given the support they need to achieve great things. For example, a few years ago, 100% of the students in the program passed the AP Spanish exam.
Johanna doesn’t just help her students succeed academically, but also helps them grow as people, working with them to engage with the community, particularly the Hispanic student population.
As the creator and adviser of the Hispanic Honor Society, she steered members towards completing more than 2,100 hours of community service. Through work with Mi Familia Vota, Johanna also held a voter registration drive that resulted in more than 500 Colonial High School students becoming new voters.
Mallorie Manosh, LifeChanger of the Year program director, along with representatives of Dragon Financial Services presented Johanna with a banner, certificate and a $3,000 check to be split with her school. She shared her gratitude with Johanna during her presentation.
“It’s clear that your dedication, servant-leadership and passion for helping others has changed lives in this community. You exemplify what it means to be a LifeChanger, and you reflect National Life Group’s mission to “Do Good. Be Good. Make Good.” Keep up the good work!”