LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Shyla Schlueter was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Schlueter teaches in a self-contained special education BASE (Behavior, Academics, Social, and Emotional) classroom, where creating and maintaining a positive classroom environment is vital to student success. Students need to feel safe, welcomed, and accepted by both their teachers and peers. Because many of her students struggle with regulating emotions and behavior, she focuses on creating a supportive environment through clear and consistent expectations, trauma-informed care, calm spaces, and restorative practices.

At the beginning of the year, she and her students develop a set of shared expectations. These are written, agreed upon, and signed by every student. They are displayed on the wall and referred to regularly as a reminder of how they function as a community.

Along with clear expectations, students are taught about boundaries and the importance of accountability. Consistency in enforcing these expectations is key. Trauma-informed care is especially crucial when working with students with social, emotional, and behavioral disabilities. Trauma can impact a student's ability to form relationships, focus on academics, manage emotions, adapt to change, and maintain mental and physical health.

She approaches students with empathy, compassion, and patience, ensuring that consequences are fair and never punitive. Her goal is always to build trust and support each student's individual needs. She greets them with a smile and uses friendly verbal and nonverbal communication to create a welcoming and supportive atmosphere.

To help students regulate, she's created calm spaces in the classroom where they can take a break when overwhelmed. These spaces include soft pillows, fidget tools, a cozy chair from home, and a blanket. They are a favorite among students and are also used as flexible seating options. 

Finally, restorative practices play a key role in her classroom. When conflicts arise, whether between students or with staff, she takes time with students to revisit what happened, reflect on the feelings involved, acknowledge who was affected, and decide how to make things right. This helps repair relationships and reinforces the sense of community they work hard to build.

Ms. Schlueter is finishing her first year as a teacher and has notable academic achievements, having earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was on the President's List all four years while completing her Bachelor's degree at Grand Canyon University. During her Master's program at Western Governors University, she received the WGU Excellence Award for her capstone research project. The award committee noted that her action research proposal stood out for its comprehensiveness and rigorous, thoughtful approach to addressing the research inquiry.