LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kristen Ables was nominated by a family member, Joan DeMilio.

As the Science Department chair since 2002, Ms. Ables organizes every aspect of the science department. This includes ordering all supplies for the department and running the department meetings. Her position of prom coordinator has also enabled her to be personally involved with students' lives. In 2015, she had a student who really wanted to go to her senior prom, but was struggling with financial troubles. Ms. Ables asked a former student for any gowns to lend to this student in need. She also organized students from the beauty academy to come in and help other students with make-up and hair, free of charge. She bought the student a wrist corsage to match her dress. With Ms. Ables' help, this student had a great senior prom.

Ms. Ables also served as the Science Olympiad coach from 2004 to 2013. During that time, she organized two teams of students to compete in the Delaware Science Olympiad. She prepared the students by helping them organize supplies, study and build for their events. Sussex Central is a public southern school in Delaware, with about 70% free and reduced lunch. Her students were able to compete and even beat schools who are more fortunate than them. This was quite a task for Ms. Ables, but so rewarding to see the excitement on her students' faces after they completed and won top ten in the state.

Ms. Ables has been Student Council Advisor since 2015, and advises the executive board of student council in events for the school year. The events they organize are: Homecoming game festivities, Homecoming pep rally, Homecoming dance, a food drive for community, Giving Tree, Special Olympics “Respect” campaign, and anything else they can assist with. Last year, Ms. Ables joined forces with a special education teacher from a handicap school in the district. She partnered regular education students with special education students. Together, they participated in a bowl-a-thon at the local bowling alley. The experience was both fulfilling and humbling for everyone. It was such a success that she is planning on doing it again this year.

Ms. Ables is also the National Honor Society Advisor. She advises the executive board of the National Honor Society in volunteering events for the school year. She gathers information for the NHS members in volunteering opportunities. Ms. Ables believes it's extremely important for students to give back to the community. In her opinion, helping others is the most satisfying and selfless thing that anyone can do. She uses her NHS Advisor position to fulfill this commitment to her students and the community.

"Kristen is also currently finishing her Master’s in Educational Leadership," DeMilio said. "She loves her job and working daily with her students. She always says that every day is different, exciting, and rewarding. As a young girl, she always wanted to be a teacher like her Grandmom. To see her fulfill her dreams and being so wonderful at her job is truly an inspiration."

Kristen Ables in the News:
Sussex Central High School teacher nominated for LifeChanger of the Year award