Contest Looking for "Life Changers" Among School Educators

Educators like Mike McEachern, an athletic director, teacher and coach from Texas, work every day to change their students' lives for the better. For McEachern, that meant starting the "BAM" program at Hargrave (Texas) High School. The program - which stands for "Becoming a Man" - helped young men who may not have had a male role model in their lives.

McEachern's program, among other accomplishments, earned him the 2014-15 LifeChanger of the Year award from the National Life Group Foundation.

"When you’re an educator – when you’re a coach or a teacher - you’re that 24/7. You don’t go home and take that hat off.  When the kids see you around town or they see you out to eat, you’re coach or teacher," said McEachern. "I want the young men and young ladies of America to do better, to be successful."

The Foundation is currently accepting nominations for the 2015-16 LifeChanger awards. LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 public and private school educators and employees across the United States. Nominees positively influence the lives of students by exemplifying excellence and leadership.

This year, 16 national winners will be chosen, expanding the total number of awards by six over last year. Each winner receives a monetary award which includes a personal cash prize and a matching donation to their school. Awards will be given in the following categories:

• National Grand Prize Winner (1) - $10,000

• National Grand Prize Finalist (4) - $5,000

• LifeChanger Spirit Award (1) - $5000

• LifeChangers (10) - $3000

The top five nominees are also invited to attend a national awards ceremony which will be held in April in Los Cabos, Mexico.

How to Nominate

Anyone can nominate a LifeChanger. Parents, coworkers, community members, students and PTO/PTA members are encouraged to submit nominations for K-12 educators and employees. Nominees must be full-time K-12 school employees are making a positive difference in the lives of students and who meet the LifeChanger criteria. Past nominees and winners have included teachers, school nurses and guidance counselors, superintendents and principals, administrative staff, bus drivers and custodians.

Winners are chosen by a national committee, which includes teachers, school employees and past LifeChanger award recipients.

Deadline for nomination submissions is January 15, 2016.

To submit a nomination or for more information, visit www.lifechangeroftheyear.com

New this year is the LifeChanger Spirit Award which will be given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for his or her nomination. Support can be demonstrated in a variety of ways, including posting positive comments on the nominee’s profile page, social media posts, and school and community recognition activities.  A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/showspirit/.