LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jessica Pellegrini was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Pellegrini believes that a positive classroom environment starts with belonging. She teaches in a third through fifth-grade self-contained SLD classroom, and many of her students come in already feeling like they are on the outside of the school community. They notice that they are not in the general education setting. They notice when their class is treated differently.

Her goal is to change that narrative from the moment students step into her room. She wants each student to feel safe, seen, valued, and proud of who they are. This begins with relationships. She works hard to build trust and a connection with every student.

Ms. Pellegrini greets them warmly, learns what matters to them, and creates routines that give them structure while still honoring their individual needs. She also teaches with patience, humor, and high expectations. Ms. Pellegrini believes that students rise when they feel respected and when they know someone believes in their potential.

Her classroom environment is intentionally designed to reflect the students in it. That includes the books on their shelves, the visuals on the walls, and the language they use when they talk about learning. She includes multicultural materials, diverse authors, and visuals that affirm different cultures, languages, and family structures.

Many of her students are neurodivergent and come from families that do not match the dominant culture of the school. They need to see themselves represented in what they read, write, and talk about. That representation builds identity, confidence, and connection.

Ms. Pellegrini also celebrates progress every chance she gets. For some students, that may mean reading a new word without support. For others, it might be asking for help instead of shutting down. Every success matters. She wants her students to understand that growth looks different for everyone, and that their path is just as important as anyone else's.

Most of all, Ms. Pellegrini works to create a space where differences are not just accepted but embraced. She and her students talk openly about how everyone learns in different ways and find joy in discovering how to support one another. In her classroom, every student has a voice, and every student belongs.

Her education journey began because of her daughter Ava, who has a learning disability. After witnessing the challenges she faced in receiving an appropriate and supportive education, Ms. Pellegrini knew she wanted to be part of the solution, not just for her daughter, but for students like her.

In her time as a school employee, she has received only exemplary evaluations and has been recognized by both colleagues and administrators for her work. She was honored to be named a 2024 Starlight Award Honoree, which acknowledges outstanding support professionals in special education. At the time, the award was in only its second year of existence, and she was proud to be part of a growing recognition of the vital work they do.

As a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Ms. Pellegrini was nominated and accepted into the Advanced Studies Pilot Program in Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education. After speaking with the director of special education, she decided to defer her participation until after completing her master's degree in spring 2026. These experiences reflect her commitment to the field and her ongoing efforts to grow as an educator.

Ms. Pellegrini is dedicated to building inclusive, student-centered classrooms that meet the needs of all learners and to becoming a leader in the special education community.