Teachers nominated for national award
LifeChanger of the Year grand prize is $10,000 for school
Two local high school teachers have been nominated for a national award for efforts to make a difference in students’ lives.
Lisa Schulz, a ninthgrade religion and health teacher at Austin Catholic High School in Chesterfield Township, and Bradly Kreiner, an English language arts/mythology teacher at Port Huron High School in Port Huron, are nominees for the 2022-2023 LifeChanger of the Year Award. Sponsored by National Life Group, the annual program recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees across the country, and celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.
Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Eighteen individual
LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2022-2023 school year. Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals, and will be announced in early 2023.
Schulz, who was nominated by an anonymous student, and Kreiner, who was nominated by family member Marilyn Kreiner, are among nine Michigan nominees.
Schulz has been a teacher at Austin Catholic since 2011. She serves as head of the Archery and Random Acts of Kindness clubs. While in college, she majored in health and psychology, received her master’s in education and spent four more years in a seminary.
“I know Mrs. Schulz deserves a chance because she is my role model and deserves the world. She cares for everyone, even if they don’t care for her,” said the nominator. “Mrs. Schulz truly loves being a teacher.
She opened my eyes to a new world of faith that I’d never seen before. Mrs. Schulz has been through many challenges, from surgeries to caring for sick relatives…I hope Mrs. Schulz wins, but even if she doesn’t, she will always be a LifeChanger in my eyes.”
Kreiner took over for an abandoned senior advisory position during the 20202021 school year.
His nominee profile states he nurtured all of his seniors to march and sat next to each one to see that they completed their credits and graduated on time.
“Mr. Kreiner. His name alone sounds so helpful, encouraging, genuine and full of compassion, doesn’t it?” said his nominator. “He never veers from his motto: ‘The only thing we have control over is how we treat other people. Be kind because that may be all that person needs to move forward, once again.’”
The grand prize winner will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school or district, while four grand prize finalists will receive $5,000 to be shared. Ten LifeChanger Award winners will receive $3,000 to be shared.
The Spirit Award, given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination, offers $5,000 to be shared with the educator’s school or district.
The Capstone Award, given to a nominee retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year, offers $3,000 to be shared.
The Spotlight Award, given to a nominee in a specific discipline, offers $5,000 to be shared with the winner’s school or district.
Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees.
To be considered for an award, nominees must make a positive impact in the lives of students, enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride, demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level, possess a proven record of professional excellence, show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning and adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards.
For more information, visit lifechangeroftheyear. com.