Two more educators were recognized over the past week as LifeChanger of the Year national award winners. The winners were in North Carolina and Missouri.
Karrie Andersch is an English teacher at Hoke County High School in Raeford, N.C., who developed a program that incorporates the national Common Core Standards – a measure of how well students perform in particular subjects – with researching and completing scholarship application forms and scholarship essays.
Karrie uses the initiative to help students complete financial aid paperwork, understand their chosen career and investigate a way to obtain that goal financially. Over two years, the program has helped students earn more than $32 million in scholarships. And 80 students have been guided into military service over the same period.
“I’ve never seen a teacher more dedicated to her profession,” wrote a colleague, Ruth Herbert-Hensen, who nominated Karrie.
In Missouri, Aaron Pearson teaches at Mary Emily Bryan Middle School in Weldon Springs, Mo., where is known as a teacher dedicated to connecting with his students and creating a safe space where everyone feels included.
Among the things he has piloted in his district are technology enhancements. But his personal attention to his students was especially highlighted by two students who nominated him, although they wished to remain anonymous.
“I personally struggled with my mental health, and he was the only one who caught on and got help for me right away,” one of the students wrote.
Both Karrie and Aaron were treated to surprise announcements of their awards. National Life’s Darlene Flagg made the presentation to Karrie at a staff meeting. And Joe Bousquet represented National Life at a school assembly to present Aaron his award, along with Danielle Bell of Appreciation Financial.
They both qualify for $3,000 cash prizes, which they split evenly with their schools.
The five LifeChanger of the Year Grand Prize finalists will travel to Hawaii next month for the final prize awards.
Karrie Andersch is interviewed by a local television station, above. In photo at top, Aaron Pearson, second from left, poses with Bryan Middle School Principal Suzanne Leake, National Life’s Joe Bousquet, and Danielle Bell of Appreciation Financial.