LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Erin Maurano was nominated anonymously.

In the transition from middle school to high school, students often face a steep climb. Ms. Maurano not only helps students climb, but gives them the tools to build their own path. As the Valley High School Teacher of the Year, Ms. Maurano has dedicated her career to her hometown, proving that geometry isn't just about shapes and angles; it's about the discipline required to master something difficult. Her classroom operates under a simple, Rihanna-inspired mantra: "Work, work, work." By emphasizing that "with hard work, it is hard to fail," she pushes her students to adopt an "Edison-like" persistence, teaching them that success comes from trying until you get it right.

Ms. Maurano's impact is not confined to the walls of Valley High. It's a family affair. Alongside her husband, DJ, and their two daughters, Olivia and Izzy, Ms. Maurano lives out the values she teaches. Her commitment to the community is evident in the "extra miles" she travels beyond school hours. 

• Ms. Maurano serves as the head JV softball coach and also coaches an 8u team, where she uses sports to instill the same work ethic she expects in her geometry students.
• Known for her love of baking, she frequently provides sweets and treats for family and community events, strengthening bonds within the Valley.
• By being active at Fairfax Elementary with her daughters and participating in local shopping and events, she shows her students that she isn't just their teacher, but their neighbor, invested in the same future they are.
• Ms. Maurano understands a profound truth about her students: school is often the only place they find a consistent smile or a supportive adult. Having returned to teach in her hometown, she is intimately connected to her community's needs.
• Ms. Maurano intentionally acts as a beacon of positivity for students who may lack support at home.
• Her classroom is a revolving door for former students who return for advice, help, or one of the "daily hugs" she is known for.
• She has successfully created a space where students feel safe enough to be vulnerable, a trust she earned through her genuine investment in their lives.

"Ms. Maurano is changing lives by shifting mindsets. Whether she is helping a student navigate the complexities of volume and area or cheering them on from the softball dugout, she is constantly 'pouring into her students.' In a fast-paced world where educators are rarely recognized, Ms. Maurano stands out as a teacher who refuses to take a day off from being the person her students need most. She is a hometown hero, dedicated mother, and true LifeChanger who proves that when you work hard for your community, everyone wins," said the nominator.