LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Michelle Hyatt was nominated by her superintendent, Bob Maxwell.

William Halsey once said, “There are no great people in this world, only great challenges which ordinary people rise to meet.” This quote exemplifies Ms. Hyatt.

"Ever since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 13th, 2020, when Pullman Public Schools ended in-person learning for almost all students and switched to online learning with some very limited in-person learning, we've started to fully comprehend and appreciate the significant difference school nurses make in our schools and district," said Maxwell. "We knew the important role the school nurse had in an ordinary year to maintain the health, safety, and welfare of our students, families, and staff. However, the pandemic highlighted the proven ability and benefit a school nurse provides to the well-being of every student, family, and staff member, both in and outside of the school door. Ms. Hyatt exemplifies the positive and needed difference a school nurse makes in the lives of others, as well as the ability to provide a positive and supportive school/district atmosphere in the midst of a pandemic."

When the pandemic hit, Ms. Hyatt's world and responsibilities changed overnight. As the Lead Nurse, her leadership became pivotal in the school district’s ability to provide not only a safe learning environment, but social-emotional instruction and health care to students, families, staff, and the community. She became the “go-to” leader for all health and safety issues related to the pandemic. Ms. Hyatt not only had to care for students and staff in-person and online, but she expanded her role to assist families and community members, as well.

Ms. Hyatt’s leadership and professionalism is evident every day. She oversees two other part-time nurses while covering the nursing responsibilities for two schools herself. In her role, Ms. Hyatt attends weekly state, regional, and district health and safety meetings. She is an active participant, and others seek her knowledge, opinion, and expertise related to school nursing. She provides regular updates and guidance to help Pullman Public Schools' administrative team implement up-to-date health and safety guidance. Her leadership and reassuring manner continues to provide a calm and nurturing atmosphere across the district.

Students, staff, families, and community members have shared their appreciation regarding Ms. Hyatt's quick and thorough responses to questions and concerns regarding COVID-19. She has become the reassuring voice of the school district, which is comprised of 2,600 students and families and 374 staff members. The sheer number of emails and phone calls each day are overwhelming, to say the least, but Ms. Hyatt never complains. She handles each call or email with kindness and professionalism. This is yet another example of her adherence to high moral and ethical standards.

Ms. Hyatt's leadership, commitment, professionalism, and positive attitude are evident in the multitude of additional responsibilities brought on by the pandemic. She determined the best type and amount of personal protective equipment (PPE) needed. She processes numerous supply orders to ensure students and staff have the personal protective equipment needed so students can learn and staff can perform their jobs safely. Ms. Hyatt works with numerous staff members, students, and families to address accommodations so they could attend school in-person and continue their learning in a safe environment.

Her role evolved during the pandemic. She became the vaccination coordinator and contact tracer for her school district, while also volunteering on weekends to assist with community vaccination clinics that needed additional nurses to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, Ms. Hyatt organized vaccination clinics at the secondary schools so that eligible secondary students could receive the COVID-19 vaccine at school (thus, eliminating the need for students to miss school). She is currently working to provide vaccination clinics in her district's elementary schools when elementary students become eligible.

Ms. Hyatt is also the Contact Tracer Coordinator for the school district. This entails following up on close contacts related to COVID-19 and calling numerous students and families during the school week and, at times, during the weekend. She does this work because she feels it is her ethical and moral responsibility. Due to her leadership, heart, and professionalism, a high percentage of the secondary students, families, staff, and community members are vaccinated against COVID-19. Her school district has been able to stay open for in-person learning in one of the lowest vaccinated counties in eastern Washington.

"In my almost 30 years in education, I have never seen an individual give so much of themselves for others. Michelle Hyatt is a superstar and a professional who demonstrates high moral and ethical standards through her actions, which also contributes to the positive and nurturing atmosphere at Pullman Public Schools," said Maxwell.