LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Emily Meyer was nominated by her principal, Clark Olstad.

Ms. Meyer is a fantastic teacher. She has the experience and expertise to handle all situations with students and parents in a professional and welcoming manner. 

Being a teacher is difficult, and very few people can be successful in their educational careers. With that being said, being a special education teacher is even more challenging, and there is a high rate of teacher burnout and staff leaving the profession. Ms. Meyer works with special needs students who require significant time and support daily. 

Ms. Meyer has many strengths as an educator, but one of her best strengths is her huge heart and her relentless efforts to help her students know that they are loved, that she believes in them, and that they can be successful and enjoy a great life. The growth and new skills Ms. Meyer's students develop each year are truly amazing. This does not happen by luck. Instead, it directly relates to how incredible Ms. Meyer is every day at school.

Mr. Olstad recalled a quote from Ann Lieberman, "Great teachers empathize with kids, respect them, and believe that each has something special that can be built upon."

I have been in education for a long time as a principal and teacher," said Olstad. "I have never met a person like Ms. Meyer. She is truly meant to be a special education teacher. Her students have a sparkle in their eyes immediately when they see her start each day. The amount of heartfelt hugs the students give her is a special thing to observe. She is, and will continue to be, a Life Changer to many students and families at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools!"