Kristy Fairfield
Position: Special Education Teacher
School: Normal West High School
School District: McLean County Unit District No. 5
City, State: Normal, IL
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Kristy Fairfield was nominated by the grandparent of a student, Paula Northcutt.
"Kristy Fairfield is my grandson's special education teacher. She has opened up her classroom, her heart, and her world to him. Ms. Fairfield cares about him and wants him to succeed. I have never seen such passion in a teacher's eyes as when she talks about him," said Northcutt. "This teacher has the patience and the heart of an angel. She exemplifies what a special education teacher should portray. We are so blessed to have a teacher for him that exhibits professionalism, class, and passion. Kristy Fairfield is a LifeChanger."
As the husband of a nominee I would like to paint a full picture of a life changer. Kristy’s job doesn’t end at 3:30. She communicates with parents and classroom support before school, after school and on weekends. Many days she will receive a text before getting out of bed. She knows how certain situations affect students. So as she gets ready for the day she is talking through her schedule and making notes so she knows how the day will need to change to accommodate everyone. On weekends she will receive questions from parents about school situations. She is quick to respond and will work with the parent until they fully understand the day or situation.
Summer break isn’t a break for Kristy. Before summer begins she is already planning for the next school year. She has met her incoming students and begins planning for their arrival. She also plans for her current students so they can be challenged and excel during the next school year. She is usually in school several times over the summer to prepare the classroom.
As a spouse, I take great pride in seeing parents and students approach us in the community to say hi. Kristy always makes time to catch up and see how they are doing. I also enjoy the opportunity to go to plays where here students are performing or attending the special Olympics to cheer students on as they compete.
Kristy is a life changer, I see it in every student she interacts with.
Kristy is an amazing teacher and she is so deserving of this nomination! The passion and dedication she has for her students and their families is a true inspiration.
Kristy is an amazing teacher and person. My daughter had the privilege of being one of her many students. I could not have asked for a better teacher and champion for my
daughter. She is so deserving of this amazing recognition.
I have been a teacher for over 30 years, but more importantly, for the last 18 years, I’ve been the mother of an amazing individual, Emma. Emma has Cerebral Palsy, epilepsy, and an intellectual disability. She has limited speech and works incredibly hard to communicate using a device and other methods. She is joyful and determined, but she needs people in her life who are patient, kind, thoughtful, and responsive.
For the last four years, Kristy Fairfield has been Emma’s special education teacher. Mrs. Fairfield is all those things and more. As a mother of a child with complex medical needs, I was anxious about Emma’s transition from junior high—especially in the midst of COVID. But Mrs. Fairfield worked closely with Emma’s junior high teacher to ensure the smoothest transition possible. She took the time to truly understand Emma—her needs, her interests, and her unique ways of engaging with the world.
Because of Mrs. Fairfield, Emma loves going to school. She feels safe, heard, and valued. More than just supporting Emma, Mrs. Fairfield empowers her to advocate for herself. She has also supported me, both practically and emotionally, as I navigate life as a single mother with many responsibilities.
I have seen firsthand how hard Mrs. Fairfield works—not just for Emma, but for every student in her care. She sees them as whole people, learns what motivates them, and helps them thrive. She changes lives every single day.
Mrs. Fairfield is a phenomenal educator and an extraordinary human being. She has transformed our lives in ways I cannot fully express. She is more than deserving of this award, but whether she wins or not, I hope she knows how deeply she is appreciated by so many.
My grandson has been a recipient of Kristy’s passion for teaching and her compassion and love for her students. Kristy never gives up on a student! She brought back my grandson’s love for school. She definitely deserves to be this year’s “Lifechanger”!
Your momma is so very proud of you! When you were a very young girl, you knew you wanted to help children with special needs. Your dad and I wanted you to pursue a field in technology, but there was no changing your mind in what you wanted to do. And not only do you do what you love, you have done an amazing job of being a life changer for so many of your kids! Sometimes when we are out shopping together, one of your former students or their parents will see you and hug you and tell you how much they miss you — and some of them were in your classroom many, many years ago! You are so very deserving of this award !
Kristy absolutely loves teaching and her students. She is always thinking of creative learning activities to better her classroom experience. She has the heart of an angel!
I am so lucky to have Kristy as a co-worker and to be part of her team. She is a strong teacher leader. All of her students make progress and grow because of her hard work and dedication! She gives so much care, love, and support to the students and to the students’ families.
I was a special education teacher at Normal West and was privileged to see how dedicated Kristy Fairfield is to her students. She’s encouraging, warm, and supportive. She is a teacher who makes a positive difference in her students’ lives!
Kristy Fairfield is my daughter. Many years ago when she was a teenager, her dad and I tried to talk her into going into the field of technology, but she told us she wanted to work with kids with special needs. She knew what she wanted to do and she has certainly exceeded in making a difference in so many kids’ lives. It warms my heart when I am shopping with her and a former student or a parent of a former student will come up and hug her and tell her how much they miss her. She has been a life changer for so many of her kiddos!
As a special education teacher, Kristy has shown immense dedication, compassion, and love for her students! She goes above and beyond to meet each child’s individual needs! She truly deserves this recognition, and I am so proud to have worked with her!
The sweetest human and so deserving!!!
Kristy is a phenomenal teacher and person who cares deeply about her students, parents, colleagues, family, and friends. She is always looking out for her students and what will help them best succeed. She perseveres through every obstacle that she may come across and is someone I turned to when I was teaching. She will do anything for her students and coworkers so that everyone can succeed.
Not a surprise Kristy is up for this. Just the way past kids and parents come up to her in public just solidifies the impact she has on these kids. It takes a special person to do this work and she is has IT!!!
Kristy Fairfield is the most dedicated special education teacher I know. She works with the severe and profound students and treats them like they are her own children! She loves every one of them and goes above and beyond every day for them. We will be out somewhere like Uptown Normal and old students and parents will see her and come up and talk with her. They are always so excited to see her. No one is more deserving than Kristy for this award! She has changed these students lives for the better just by being who she is: a kind, loving, caring special education teacher!!
I have known Kristy for over 25 years . She is and has always been so dedicated to her students. I have seen Kristy out in public with her students and seeing the smiles on her students faces is so inspiring. Congratulations Kristy!
Her heart and passion for what she does is seen each and everyday she walks the halls of Normal West High school. Even students not in special education classes can see the pride and joy she has for each and every one of her students. Her tender heart and dedication to see each student succeed is truly touching. She inspires me to love all people better and on a more deeper level.
Kristy is a wonderful special education teacher. Her dedication to her students and their success is unmatched. A well deserved nomination. Congratulations!
Kristy was one of the people who inspired me to become a teacher. I’ve always admired her dedication to her position and her students. She has helped me countless times with struggles I have faced as a teacher myself.
Kristy Fairfield has been my son's teacher for the past 3 yrs. She is so kind, compassionate, and caring to all her students. My son and our whole family love her to pieces.
She is a wonderful teacher that cares so deeply for her students. I have never met someone who changes more lives than her.
I have watched my mom grow as a person and as a teacher throughout my life and I could not be more proud of her. She has put countless hours of work before and after school to make sure her kids get the education they deserve. One instance that comes to my mind was during 2020 when school was remote. She ensured that each of the kids had hard copies of their materials each and every week so that they could maintain consistency even when at home. She would drive to each of their homes to drop off these materials mo matter how near or far. I went to high school where my mom teaches and I have watched her kids make so much progress year after year and she has formed relationships with her students and parents that have been maintained even after graduation.
Totally agree!! Kristy Fairfield gives her heart to her students sharing love, care, and concern for each one of them. I’m so thrilled that others share in acknowledging her strength of character. I’m proud to have worked with her as a former colleague, and I consider her a true friend.
Wonderful young lady...her mother is a lifelong friend of mine....
Kristy is an exemplary teacher and her passion for teaching is something all educators should strive for. Thankful to have her guidance in and out of the classroom.
Well earned! So glad to work with you!