News

Balfour students nominate teacher for national award

By Jillian Rosa, Published: November 18, 2014

A Balfour Education Center teacher has been nominated for a national teaching award based on her work that urges at-risk students to graduate from high school.

Former students nominated Kristen Kicklighter for a LifeChanger of the Year award. The national program annually recognizes and rewards K-12 school district educators and employees who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

“Mrs. Kicklighter doesn’t allow for excuses," one student said. "She tells her students that success is the only option, and then spends every minute of every day making sure they meet the high expectations that she sets. She fights for her students to keep them in school and has even bought shoes, school supplies or clothing when she knows students can’t afford them.”

Another former student said that he would not have graduated if it had not been for Kicklighter.

"She has been known to pay a student's light bill out of her own pocket, or buy shoes and other school supplies when she knows students can't afford them," the nomination said. "Not only does Mrs. Kicklighter advocate for her students, she teaches them how to advocate for themselves. Her door is always open, and there isn't anything that students can't come to her with."

Balfour Education Center is in a school in the Henderson County Public Schools whose mission is to provide a quality educational experience to those students that have not found success in the traditional classroom setting.

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations. Ten winners are selected by the selection committee to receive cash awards that are split between the individual winner and their school. The national Grand Prize award is $10,000. The top three winners are also honored at a national awards ceremony.

Nominees must be full-time school employees. Award winners are selected based on the following criteria:
• A proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students
• An ability to positively add to the development of the school and/or district’s atmosphere
• A leader in his or her activities at the school and/or district level
• A proven record of excellent performance at the professional level
• A commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere

Nominations for the program will be accepted through the end of January 2015 with winners to be announced in spring 2015.

To view Mrs. Kicklighter’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com. Comments are encouraged and are noted by the selection committee as indicators of the selection criteria.