LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jennifer Valotta was nominated by a colleague, Robin Richoux.

Mrs. Jennifer Valotta is a model of professionalism, compassion, and inspiration. She exemplifies what it means to be an educator who not only teaches but transforms lives. Her dedication, leadership, and caring nature leave a positive, lasting impact on her students. "I have watched Mrs. Valotta make connections with students when others may have thought the student was unreachable," said Richoux. Mrs. Valotta has spent her own time tutoring students, and she is a beacon of hope and encouragement when a student feels frustrated and wants to give up. Her biggest asset, is how she has become a mentor for so many of her students.

In the public school setting, you get all walks of life, yet Mrs. Valotta treats all of her students with kindness, compassion, and understanding. She has an uncanny ability to take students under her wing, and push them to become the best student, as well as person, they can be. Many of her students keep in contact with her even after graduation. "My own daughter is one of them," said Richoux. "They reach out for advice and help, not just regarding their career path, but about their personal lives as well."

Mrs. Valotta instills in her students the importance of being morally and ethically responsible. She teaches them to be honest and to own responsibility for their behavior and/or mistakes. In the healthcare realm, this is a critical quality to possess. Mrs. Valotta is the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) sponsor at Belle Chasse High School. Every year, she takes a group of students to Baton Rouge, Louisiana for the State HOSA Convention. Mrs. Valotta has received the Excellence in Leadership Award at past conventions, and her students always come back with awards for their knowledge and demonstration in the healthcare realm. All of these qualities make Mrs. Jennifer Valotta a strong candidate for the Life Changer of the Year Award.