LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Michelle Davis was nominated by her school's principal, Jennifer Graham.

"Michelle has been a cook and school system employee for many years, and her contribution to our school community goes way beyond the lunchroom. Michelle is an amazing cook and provides a great breakfast and lunch experience for her students every day. She gives extra treats and sings 'Happy Birthday' to students on their special day. She encourages and greets every one of the 350 students with a smile as they come through the line for breakfast and lunch," said Graham.

Ms. Davis is a natural encourager and forms meaningful and supportive relationships with students. She knows their stories: when they lose a tooth or get a new baby sister or brother and when they aren't themselves and need some extra words of encouragement or advice. Some students check in with her daily for encouragement or a big hug, as they all know they can depend on her for compassion and guidance whenever needed.

In addition to her unique way of forming relationships with students, Ms. Davis is very active in school activities and always brings something special that she knows the students will enjoy—every holiday, she creates a fantastically decorated lunchroom.

"Our school hosts Trick or Treat the Halls each year, and Michelle is our top decorator! She voluntarily sets up multiple displays inside and outside the school to help our school transform into a fun, spooky place for Halloween. She recruits her family to come in and help her create big and exciting displays that the students love," said Graham.

Every year during National School Breakfast Week, Ms. Davis takes a great deal of time establishing a theme and decorating the kitchen and lunchroom area, the main entrance, and even outside to get everyone in the spirit! Two years ago, there was a construction theme, and she made sure there were actual bulldozers and big machinery for students to come and see and get to climb on and check out. Last year, a luau theme involved giant surfboards, grass skirts, and a cafeteria-line tiki bar!

"Michelle is enthusiastic and actively involved in absolutely everything done at school! Another example of her generosity of time and money can be seen in the effort she led to ensure our school grounds got some picnic tables. At the beginning of the school year, Michelle asked to work on finding donations to purchase picnic tables for our playground and courtyard areas at school. By the beginning of October, she had located multiple businesses, including her personal donation, and was able to purchase six picnic tables for our school. The school now has tables in both the courtyard and playground areas because of her desire to take on this project, simply because she saw the need," said Graham.

"Because of Michelle and her unwavering commitment to our school, she has and will continue positively impacting students, families, and the community for years to come. Her approach and the relationships she builds with students in the short amount of time they have with her is nothing short of amazing and makes a tremendous impact on the students and the way they can start their school day. Michelle is so much more than a cook at our school; she is a reliable and loving presence that helps to instill strong ethics and character into the students. Her passion for our school and students is unwavering; she is always the first to jump in and help do anything that needs to be done. If it is best for kids, you can be assured that Michelle will lead the charge," said Graham.

Ms. Davis' personal journey is a testament to her resilience and empathy. Having lost her mother as a young teenager, she worked multiple jobs to support herself at just 15 years old. Despite these challenges, she found love, raised a family, and extended her care to multiple family members, including her elderly mother-in-law and her young adult nephew who lost his mother before turning 18. Her life experiences have given her a unique understanding of the struggles some of our students face. 

"If I could describe Michelle in just three words, they would be compassionate, devoted, and dependable! We are blessed to have her and thankful every day for the great start she gives students as they come through the breakfast line each day. We have the best cook, and I am proud of her work. She is a true hero in our school; we love and respect her. Her life story is beautiful, amazing, and motivating. Nothing that has happened in her past has kept her from being an amazing, community-minded person who is always looking to give someone a hand up! Her enthusiasm and leadership are admirable and contagious, and it would be wonderful to honor her as the LifeChanger that she is every day to us at Fairland East Elementary School," said Graham.