Shawn Gerber was nominated by Superintendent, Michael Carter.
Mr. Gerber started his position four years ago, and he was hired to build a program that would provide high school students with the opportunity to gain "real-life" job experiences. The program has grown, exceeding expectations in a very short period, into one of the premiere work experience programs in the state. His program offers students academic credit, as well as both paid and unpaid internships working in a variety of industries. Last summer, he placed 54 students in various paid internship programs, and five of them went directly into their chosen profession or apprenticeship programs after graduation.
Mr. Gerber always goes above and beyond the call of duty in his job, and when a need is identified to benefit students, he works tirelessly to fill it. In the district area with high poverty, the need for food outside of the traditional school day is tremendous, and the district decided to start a backpack program to send food home to students in need. The program wasn't functioning well until Mr. Gerber stepped in and took it over. As part of his current responsibilities, he has the program serving over 175 students each week, providing nutritious food. Mr. Gerber has recruited student volunteers and has hired students to help him operate the program to fill the weekly backpacks. He wrote various grants to keep the program solvent and has obtained funding to ensure that the students have food to eat at home. He has recently added fresh fruit and vegetables to the program, and each backpack has these options because he went above and beyond the call of duty yet again.
Mr. Gerber is a LifeChanger, and his service attitude, dedication, and devotion to the students are excellent examples of the difference one person can make in the lives of others.
To articulate all that Shawn has done in a short comment is almost impossible, but I would like to take some time to highlight what is most important. Shawn's heart is full of unfailing love for his family, his community, his job and his students. This love is sacrificial, Shawn always puts himself as the servant. Teaching, leading, showing, living the example. Shawn exemplifies in his job how we should all strive to live everyday. Thank you Shawn!
It’s taken me a few days to share this incredible honor—not just because of busy workdays, but because I needed time to find the right words. For me, "You are awesome, well done, well deserved" just doesn't capture the magnitude of THIS moment! Because THIS is about my BROTHER!
?? Shawn is not your ordinary man by any definition! He goes above and beyond to serve his family, friends, community, and work. He lights up every room he enters—not by demand or show, but through sincere love, humility, and heart! He is one of the most private, reserved, and quiet yet strongest individuals I know, while also being deeply sensitive and sincere. He ensures everyone knows that they matter, that they are special, and that they can achieve anything they aspire to be!
Shawn leads by example, never stopping until the job is done. He never gives up and stands firm in his beliefs of what is right, honest, and attainable.
I feel blessed to know him and to have journeyed through life together! He’s my big brother, and he’s my hero too. I’ll always look up to him—he truly is a LifeChanger! He’s SHAWN JEREMY GERBER!
I’m so proud of you, Brother! In my eyes, you won this long ago! Love you! …. Tan
Shawn is a credit to the profession. He works to serve students, he holds them accountable while teaching them to work at the highest level possible. He has high expectations and all of his students know that he has their best interest in the forefront.
He works to get to "yes" with every district partner and organization. He has a laser focus teaching students the importance of having a strong work ethic and learning how ort become a valued employee.
His passion is contagious and everyone can count on Shawn to produce a productive and quality program and requiring every student in his programs to strive for excellence. Shawn accomplishes all of this while making work fun along the way. He exemplifies the very essence of this award.
Shawn is an inspiring person and I am so grateful to be able to have him as a colleague! He always has a "can do" attitude and a smile on his face. He is very creative in making incredible things happen for the youth in our school district. Thank you, Shawn, for everything you do for our school district!
Shawn is very deserving of this award! As the LHS Leadership advisor, I helped Shawn recruit students to help him package the food each week for the backpack program. Students were eager to help Shawn and enjoyed being a part of the program. It is a much-needed program here in Lakeview. He is a great role model for youth and I feel lucky to work with him.
There are few people as skilled and compassionate as Mr. Gerber when it comes to providing opportunities for students to become more than they thought possible. Shawn's skills of communication, organization and flexibility has been exemplified in the quality of his vocational programs and food distribution to families of need. Shawn's compassion for youth is his ultimate driver in ensuring that every student he encounters is given life changing opportunities for them to see the tremendous skills they have and to build upon those skills to better who they are and those around them.
Shawn is a true LifeChanger that fully embodies the characteristics of this award.
Shawn is a top notch employee and does a great job with the students. There are many in the youth employment program and he does a great job leading them as they gain work experience in the jobs they have obtained in the community. Shawn is a great example for the youth and his colleagues. I would highly recommend him for National Life Changer of the Year award.
Shawn is awesome to work with. I enjoy watching him constantly give to the kids. I work in the office next to him, and to be honest the only time I see him working in the office is to write grants, take meetings with work source partners or make more food orders for the Backpack program he has, which might be one day a week. Kids will constantly be in to his office if that's where he is. The rest of the time he is with the high school kids. Implementing work ethic, encouraging them in their studies and and helping kids with their next steps in life. What an honor to work with him!
I've worked with Shawn for a little over a year and he is an excellent example of a "LifeChanger". He genuinely cares about each and every student, seeing the potential in the students that they don't yet see in themselves. He becomes their biggest fan when they find success and he mentors them if they stumble. All along the way he demonstrates discipline, work ethics, empathy, inclusion, and most importantly finding joy and happiness at work!
