LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kimberly Prouty was nominated by her colleague, Jessica Lowery.

"When the title 'LifeChanger' comes to mind, Kimberly Prouty not only stands out but undoubtedly manifests all the qualities of a LifeChanger in the community of Vancleave. I have not only had the privilege of teaching alongside her for the last four years, but she has made an immense impact on my own child's life by being his teacher, role model, and safety net this year," said Lowery.

"Kimberly Prouty is quiet and humble, but her presence in our community does not go unseen. She encompasses qualities that set her apart from others that I, as an educator and parent, admire. She is not only the teacher you would want for your personal child, but the the teacher you want for every child," said Lowery.

"She leads by example. But more importantly, she teaches with empathy and promotes a sense of calmness in the classroom that combats student anxiety and promotes mindfulness within her students. One will never hear Mrs. Prouty raise her voice. She is calm, has clear and high expectations for her students, and is always kind and respectful when handling any situation, whether with her students or colleagues. I have watched her build a safe environment conducive to learning and growing each year, where she increases trust and respect with her students and encourages them to reach their highest potential. Mrs. Prouty has a way of engaging students, leading to students taking responsibility and ownership of their learning. The students in her classroom always strive to do their best, regardless of their ability level," said Lowery.

"Being a parent can be challenging and downright scary at times, but knowing your child has someone like Mrs. Prouty in their corner brings a sense of ease. I was recently talking to my seven-year-old son about bullying. It has been a topic that has been resurfacing lately on the news. We talked about adults he could trust and turn to if he or someone he knows ever experiences bullying. Without hesitation, he stated, 'Mrs. Prouty is one of my people; she keeps me safe!' As a mother, it is the best feeling to know your child is in a safe, inclusive environment that allows them to learn without risks to their physical and emotional health, safety, and wellbeing. I also know he is supported by someone who truly cares. Mrs. Prouty is not only our personal LifeChanger, but she is a LifeChanger to our whole community," said Lowery.