LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lauren Jones was nominated by her principal, Clark Olstad.

Mrs. Jones is a passionate educator who gives her heart and soul every year to her students.  Being an educator is one of the most challenging, yet rewarding careers that anyone could pursue. Mrs. Jones makes teaching look fun and satisfying because she is a high quality professional with parents, students, and colleagues, all of the time.

Mrs. Jones has many strengths as an educator, but one of her best strengths is her relentless drive to help a struggling student succeed and be happy.  Most of the time, this is a very challenging task, but she refuses to quit on a student. She has a gigantic heart, and that makes her a special person. She understands that helping students feel like they belong and fit in with their peers goes way beyond the normal classroom setting.

Mrs. Jones has been very active as a Cooking Club supervisor, which is one of the most popular clubs at her school. During the distance learning that took place this past spring, she would record a video each week with a cooking lesson for her students to attempt at home.  Extra work and extra effort is what makes Mrs. Jones a gifted teacher.

"There's a quote from Barbara Coloroso that reminds me of Lauren. 'If kids come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families, it makes our job easier.  If they do not come to us from strong, healthy, functioning families it makes our job more important,'" said Olstad. "Lauren will never give up on a student, no matter what.  Yes, she gets frustrated at times like everyone else in education, but that only makes her dig deeper inside her heart to find a strategy to help a struggling student."

At the end of each school year, the senior class nominates and selects a few teachers who have made a significant impact in their life. Mrs. Jones has been selected multiple times by the graduating class from her teaching them many years ago. That is a great compliment to receive from her past students.

“She is, and will continue to be, a LifeChanger to many students and families at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools,” Olstad said.

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