LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Micah Sayler was nominated by his colleague, Ursula Warden.

Mr. Sayler is the spirit of teaching and all the qualities that make an exceptional teacher rolled into one, in physical form. He radiates joy and excitement, drawing students and staff in with his magnetism for learning and life.

Mr. Sayler has battled with an inoperable brain tumor that has impacted his right eye, and though the impact has affected his outward looks, he has only brightened the light within him. He is not afraid to be silly, often singing Happy Birthday to students in front of the entire school in fun voices like the Grinch's or joking about how he can still see what students are doing with only 1 ½ good eyes. He makes himself available to listen and is not afraid to be vulnerable or appropriately personable to make an academic point or teach a life lesson. He will seek out withdrawn, shy students and draw them out, learning about their interests, hobbies, and what makes them tick without embarrassing them or signaling them out in front of other students.

Mr. Sayler takes the same time with colleagues and will go above and beyond to better the team and the school. He put his artistic talents to work and created the four house crests. He has developed visual and audio media for the school and for community grants.

Mr. Sayler also helps co-lead the student ministry team that puts on activities for the student body to build camaraderie and friendly competition. When the secondary classrooms were under construction and staff were sharing one large auditorium while learning a new grading platform, he helped all the teachers learn to integrate Google Classroom. The added help in navigating how to use technology to keep the sound down in a shared space without creating more work when using two grading platforms was pivotal for success and sanity last year.

The list of amazing qualities he possesses and utilizes is endless, and many students adore him. One student said," Mr. Sayler cheers up students and provides strong descriptions for his assignments so that we understand what we need to do. He's not only a teacher, but a father-like figure in students' lives."