On Friday, March 6th we surprised Peter Galasso, a principal at Highland Elementary School in Midland Park, NJ. Peter was nominated for LifeChanger via a video nomination created by the staff at Highland Elementary who credited him for being an incredible servant leader and building a positive school culture. Roberto Abele of our Retirement Services team and Paul Belverio of Teachers Pension gave Peter the surprise of a lifetime when they popped in during an all school assembly to share the news.
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO COME UP WITH THE WORDS TO TRULY EXPRESS HOW MUCH THIS AWARD IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY. JUST HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE PEOPLE FOR THE SIMPLE THINGS THEY DO, WHILE THANKING THEM FOR THEIR DIRECT IMPACT ON OUR LIVES IS JUST PRICELESS. – KELLY SCALA, GUIDANCE COUNSELOR AT HIGHLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
This week kicked off with another monumental surprise, this time in Kimball, Michigan, where another principal was being recognized for all that she does in her school community. Kathy Kish is the principal of Indian Woods Elementary School and she was nominated for the robust list of initiatives she leads up that support students and their families. Field leader Jay Dunlap along with Dolly Bertsch of GLP surprised Kathy at an all school assembly.
Keil Hileman, a Social Studies teacher from Shawnee, Kansas, wrapped up our pop ups for this week. Keil was nominated by current and former students from the three separate schools he teaches at daily – Monticello Trails Middle School, Mill Valley High School and De Soto High School. The nomination describes Keil’s classroom as a “continually evolving” museum, with real artifacts and simulated archaeological digs that bring history to life for his students. Marketing Manager Lizzie Dunbar was on hand Wednesday to surprise Keil in front of his students and colleagues.
Kathy and Keil were both recognized as one of LifeChanger’s top five finalist which means they will attend Conference of Champions where we will announce our Grand Prize Winner in April.
Where will LifeChanger pop up next? Stay tuned to find out!
Feature photo: Lizzie Dunbar (far right) presents Keil Hileman with his LCOY award.
Watch Peter Galasso’s surprise school assembly here: https://westchester.news12.com/clip/15019749/jersey-proud-midland-park-school-principal-receives-lifechanger-of-the-year-award