LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile
« Return to Nominee List
Debbie Moore
Position: Marketing Teacher
School: Mountain Ridge High School
School District: Deer Valley USD
City, State: Glendale, AZ
Music that Describes Debbie
Debbie Moore was nominated by Lori Beth Horton, the parent of students.
"Ms. Moore is my children’s marketing teacher and my hero during COVID-19," said Horton. "She wasted no time getting in contact with the students and easing their fears."
Ms. Moore tied a “yellow ribbon around the school marquee,” and sang her version of the song to the students in a video that was posted on her Facebook page. She said it had been “two long weeks, do you still want me?” In the video, she told her students that she loved them and missed them. She told them things would be different, but they would be okay.
"The video was a hit in our community, with Ms. Moore dancing in her yellow top and a giant yellow ribbon on the marquee," said Horton. "In the following weeks, lots of yellow ribbons began to appear on campus and get posted on social media. She really connected with the community!"
Ms. Moore did a “ding-dong-ditch” for all the seniors to deliver their senior gifts. She stood in the yard and talked to them. She promoted their graduation yard signs and made the Class of 2020 feel special. She conducted Zoom workshops on leadership, professional dress, resume writing, and finding jobs during the pandemic.
As a teacher, her lessons were so timely. She discussed the toilet paper shortage in respect to supply and demand. The students discussed price gouging. They learned which states had laws and which did not. They discussed the ethics of raising prices, and what potential backlash there could be. Ms. Moore and her students also discussed the psychology of hoarding and why people were doing it. It was an amazing, authentic lesson for the students. They were engaged and learning!
"Ms. Moore worked hard to create solid lessons for the students and celebrate them during all of this," said Horton. "She made them feel like they were loved, and that things would be different, but okay. She is honest, pure, and genuine with her students and parents. That is why she is my COVID-19 Hero!"