LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Eli Bissonette

Position: Behavioral Interventionist
School: Champlain Elementary School
School District: Burlington School District
City, State: Burlington, VT

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Eli Bissonette was nominated by his colleague, Evan Kendall.

"Eli and I have been colleagues for six years. He began as a paraeducator and now shares his experience and skills as a Behavioral Interventionist (BI) schoolwide. Eli builds meaningful, authentic connections with students, especially those with whom he develops and implements safety and success plans. His presence is a positive and trusted force—students light up when they see him and value his role in their lives," said Kendall. "Even after moments where Eli may need to restrain a student for safety reasons during escalated situations, those same students will later greet him with smiles, high fives, or hugs. That speaks volumes about the mutual respect and trust he fosters."

"Since stepping into the BI role, Eli has played a critical part in transforming our school culture. Students who might have previously ended up in the office now actively use self-regulation tools to manage emotions like anger or hyperactivity. This shift directly reflects Eli's consistent presence, thoughtful coaching, and unwavering belief in his students' potential," said Kendall.

"His impact doesn't stop with the students—he's also transformative for staff. Eli models empathy, strength, and grace in challenging moments, creating a school environment rooted in understanding, growth, and connection," said Kendall.

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Comments (1)

Tracy Harris Posted 15 days ago

My name is Tracy Harris and I’m a Coordinator for Social Emotional and Behavioral Supports at the Vermont Agency of Education. Full disclosure: Eli is my nephew. Also full disclosure: the truth is that I cannot take credit for his professional accomplishments. I can say, however, that I’ve had many, many professionals who’ve approached me to speak of how much he’s changed the lives of students, families, and staff members at Champlain Elementary School. I’ve also had many conversations with Eli about his work there. He never violates confidentiality but when he has described numerous scenarios involving students, families, and colleagues, I’ve been incredibly proud of and deeply impressed by his keen insights and deep love of what he does. His involvement goes beyond school hours and much further than the campus at Champlain. He has been actively involved in the after-school program there, summer programs, Covid in-person work with children of critical care workers, and he’s also a member of an organization that provides support for children in need of a boost of confidence or self-esteem due to life circumstances that have caused adverse childhood experiences. Eli unquestionably fosters resilience in all young people he meets. It’s no surprise to me that he’s been nominated for a life changer award and I may or may not be biased, but I can’t thing of a more deserving young man for this award.