LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Spring Coleman was nominated anonymously.

"It is an honor to nominate Spring Coleman for recognition of her exceptional dedication and service to Highland Pines School," said the nominator. Spring is a rare type of staff member, someone who brings heart, skill, and unwavering positivity into every space she enters, whether she is supporting students in the classroom as a paraprofessional or nourishing them each day as part of our kitchen team. Her impact reaches far beyond her job titles.

As a special education paraprofessional, Spring demonstrates patience, compassion, and a deep understanding of the diverse needs of our students. She forms trusting relationships with students who require consistency and emotional safety, meeting each child exactly where they are. Spring anticipates needs, assists with communication, supports behavior plans, and implements routines that help students feel secure and successful. She never hesitates to step in, problem-solve, or offer a steady, calming presence during challenging moments. Her ability to stay grounded while helping students regulate is one of her greatest strengths.

In her role as a kitchen worker, Spring is just as exceptional. She ensures students receive meals that meet their dietary needs, and she always greets them with warmth, kindness, and respect. For many of our students, mealtime can be stressful or overstimulating, but Spring consistently creates a welcoming and predictable environment. Her attention to cleanliness, safety, and individualized accommodations reflects her genuine care for every student in the building.

What truly sets Spring apart is her work ethic and character. She is dependable, selfless, and consistently goes above and beyond what is expected. Spring often steps in to help staff, checks in on students long after her shift ends, and brings a level of teamwork that strengthens our school community. Her positivity is infectious, she lifts others up with a smile, a laugh, or a kind word, even on the hardest days. Highland Pines School is a better, brighter place because of Spring Coleman. She embodies the mission of our school through her compassion, dedication, and remarkable ability to support students with dignity and love. For these reasons and more, she is profoundly deserving of this nomination