LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Brook Norris was nominated by her colleague, Jackie Williams.

Mrs. Norris positively impacts the lives of the students each day by always being available for students and staff. She works tirelessly each day supporting the social and emotional needs of the students. She participates on multiple committees at Aprende, such as the Leadership Team, PBIS Committee, and AVID Site Team.

Mrs. Norris leads the Stand Up/Speak Up/Save a Life student leadership group at Aprende, which empowers student leaders to work with peers to promote a message regarding inclusiveness, empathy, and most significantly, the importance of reporting to a trusted adult when a friend is in trouble or in need of intervention or support. She is the liaison for the Kyrene Family Resource Center and the McKinney-Vento program. Finally, she has also spearheaded the revamping of the PBIS program at Aprende, which recognizes students’ positive behaviors and problem-solving. This includes a PBIS store, where students can purchase items with the PBIS tickets they were awarded for their positive behaviors. Aprende students are extremely motivated by all of the new incentives Mrs. Norris has implemented (with student input), such as water bottle stickers, crazy socks, pop sockets, and sought after snacks and drinks.

Mrs. Norris goes above and beyond each day at Aprende Middle School supporting the social and emotional needs of both the students and staff. She ensures that new teachers and staff at Aprende feel supported and uplifted. If a staff member is going through a difficult time, she makes sure they know they are appreciated and valued. Mrs. Norris does not hesitate to reach out to fellow staff and colleagues when they need any assistance, and she will jump right in when any member of the staff needs help. Even though it is not her job, she willingly covers classes, supervises lunches, and fills in during crossing guard duty without even being asked.

Most importantly, on a daily basis, Mrs. Norris saves lives. On a daily basis, she works with the most at-risk students. For many of these students, she is the only positive adult support in their lives. Students trust her, and as a result, she has been able to intervene when many students’ home lives are not safe, or when students pose a safety risk to themselves. Parents are also very appreciative of her intervention and don’t hesitate to share that she has tremendously impacted their families in a positive manner, while also helping them to see there’s always hope in every tough situation.

"Mrs. Norris continues to go above and beyond each day at Aprende Middle School," said Williams. "Aprende is a stronger school and community because of her. Without a doubt, she makes a tremendous impact and difference in the lives of our students each and every day. We’d be lost without her!"