LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lisa Birdsong

Position: School Counselor
School: Hinkley High School
School District: Aurora Public Schools
City, State: Aurora, CO

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Lisa Birdsong was nominated by her colleague, Jane Thornton.

Once in a lifetime, you meet someone who makes such a positive impression on you that it lasts a lifetime. Ms. Birdsong is such a person in the lives of students and staff alike at Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado. She exemplifies servant leadership; she's caring, generous, innovative, energetic, and completely student-focused.

Ms. Birdsong has been a dean, school counselor, and administrative consultant on the school’s instructional leadership team. She is “old faithful," someone the school can count on to do what is best and follow through. Her “teams" (counselors or deans) have a leader who always has their back. She fights many “invisible” battles that no one knows about. She has a heart of gold and is loyal.

"I am pretty sure her blood runs Thunderbird blue (our school mascot) through the core of her being. She has her finger on the pulse of the students, school, and community. She is intuitive," said Thornton.

In her role as a school counselor and chair of the counseling department, you will often hear her say, "Do what's best for kids," "Think outside the box," "Find your passion," and "Not graduating is NOT an option." She gives a lot of her time and resources to help students and staff alike.

"Lisa came alongside me and helped me when I was new to Colorado and didn’t know anyone. She helps us become better in our jobs so we can support our students more effectively," said Thornton.

After seeing students's needs that required more targeted outreaches, Ms. Birdsong brought the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team (Believe it or Not I Care) to her school to help prevent students from falling through the cracks when they go through tough times, such as when they are new, sick, bullied, or lose loved ones. Last year, the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team sponsored a food drive to help families in the community during the pandemic. They planned one again this past November, and it just so happened that there was violence in the community that week that impacted the school greatly. The food drive outreach couldn’t have come at a better time to bring hope and support to the hurting community.

"Lisa keeps a cool head in stressful situations. She has uncanny expertise in working with crises, trauma, and issues that are complex. She is our 'go-to person' for any difficult situation (individual or collective). Lisa is one of the masterminds behind our master schedule to make sure we are doing what is best for our students, staff, and the school as a whole. You will often hear a song coming from Lisa for any situation, which helps all of us keep a good perspective during trying times," said Thornton.

Ms. Birdsong has been a LifeChanger, a life-saver, and a dream inspirer for the Hinkley High School students, staff, and community as a whole. In her 30 years as an educator, she has never sought glory for herself. She has been in it for the kids. Eight years ago, she was selected for the Superintendent's Award for her outstanding work and contribution to her students, staff, community, and district. She has said, "I just do my job to protect my students, my team, and my school. I have always been an ‘under the radar’ type of person."

"I could go on and on about the impact that Lisa Birdsong has made. She is all that the LifeChanger of the Year program represents! Lisa Birdsong’s impact will last for generations to come," said Thornton.

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Comments (10)

Sandy Austin Posted over a year ago

I knew Lisa BIrdsong in high school when I had to guard her when we played her school in Basketball. She was an incredible athlete, and she has brought that hard work and leadership into her job as a school counselor! She is always looking out for the best for her students, staff, families, school, and community to bring quality education and experiences to help prepare her students for life! She has a keen understanding of what each student needs and is willing to bring in whatever is needed to meet the student's needs. She searches for funding opportunities if the school doesn't have the money for programs, etc. Lisa brought the school club, the B.I.O.N.I.C. Team (Believe It Or Not I Care) to Hinkley after seeing needs that were not being met in other ways to let students know they are "seen," they "matter," and people care! Lisa wants to prevent any student from ever falling through the cracks! When the city of Aurora faced very tough times after a shooting at Hinkley and also a neighboring school, Lisa helped lead efforts to bring hope and healing to the school and community. Lisa is a protector of her students, and she is a rock for Hinkley staff to lean on when they are struggling. Lisa is very modest and never seeks glory for herself. She is a champion in education ranks in many arenas! Lisa Birdsong personifies everything that the LifeChanger of the Year represents!!!

Anna Bicknase Posted over a year ago

Lisa gives from the heart. She helps serve this community in so many ways and across systems. She is wiling to speak up for our kids and staff and walks the walk. She is an unsung hero in many ways, as not everyone always knows the acts she does for people, because she is not looking for appreciation or parades. She has helped me personally navigate some very significant challenges and she truly listens. She is the real deal and definitely a life changer.

Mollie McCarthy Posted over a year ago

Lisa Birdsong is a Thunderbird legend. Sincerely. Ask anyone over the tenure of her time with APS & Hinkley, but I am pretty certain our school and everything that it is today has been significantly shaped by Lisa Birdsong. As a person of many words, I don't think I have the adequate enough ones to express ALL the blood, sweat, passion, love, laughs, and tears she has poured into our school. Students come first, period. She will push you, she will teach you, she will care for you, she will love you, she will remind you, she will make you laugh in the toughest times and she will make you see the potential in yourself. Her dedication and passion for our school and students are unmatched. I feel so honored to learn from, work alongside her, absorb her wisdom and call her my friend. Thank you Jane for highlighting this incredible human and THANK YOU Lisa from the bottom of every T-bird heart past, present, and future.

Sue-Lin Toussaint Posted over a year ago

In a world where change is so prevalent, we often don't appreciate those in our communities who are deeply rooted, who stay to serve, and continue to move the work forward. I have great admiration for those who can provide context, give us the story, and remind us of the values we stand for. Lisa Birdsong is such a person. Every time I see Lisa, she has a word of encouragement, a smile, and a hug. I am grateful for her leadership of the counseling team at Hinkley, and appreciative of her years of dedicated service.

Robin (Birdie) Shelton Posted over a year ago

It has been my great pleasure to have known Lisa for most of my career with Aurora Public Schools as a parent and then a colleague at Hinkley. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a flight above the rest as a Hinkley TBird.

Ann Atencio Posted over a year ago

Your impact is evident by the words of your colleagues. Thanks for all you do for APS students and staff! I have known you for more than 20 years and I have seen you do some amazing things. Thank you for your dedication and commitment!

Cecilia Jaquez Posted over a year ago

Lisa is amazing, she is an outstanding counselor with many years of experience to prove it!

Cheri Rivera Posted over a year ago

Lisa is truly deserving of this award! She has personally helped me become a leader and she is a true advocate for the students and staff at Hinkley. She is always thinking of what is best for our community, and with her experience, her ideas/opinions are always respected and weighted heavily.

Jennifer Montoya Posted over a year ago

Lisa is a rock. The Hinkley staff, community, and mostly importantly students know that they can count on Lisa. She serves with her heart. Lisa has experience that makes her a valuable "utility player" for our school. Lisa brings a balanced approach as logistical master and mental health expert. Her experience as a Dean brings another dimension to how she sees challenges and the input she brings to the table. I am happy Lisa is nominated for this award. She is deserving.

Weskamp Posted over a year ago

Lisa Birdsong, Where do I even start?! This woman has been such an impactful person in my time working in education. I have learned so incredibly much from this fountain of wisdom. She has worked in different positions in school environments and can see "the forest through the trees". Her understanding, thoughtfulness and ideas have helped to navigate and approach situations from graduation, behavior, and all the way to creating the framework for a school. She is passionate in what she believes in and would do anything and everything for the students. I have even seen her previous students come back to visit her and to enroll their own children in high school. She has created a lasting impression on different generations and it is a pleasure to see. I could go on and on of all of things that she has helped with and created. But in one word, Lisa is deserving. She deserves to celebrate her accomplishments, deserves the appreciation and deserves this award beyond measure She has one hundred percent been a LifeChanger in my life as well as countless others'.