LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Christina Keyton was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Keyton is the current Brader Elementary School Teacher of the Year.  She received this honor last March and was named the 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year during what was an extremely challenging year for many educators across the country, as many were navigating the school year during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

During the 2020-2021 school year, Ms. Keyton was a special education teacher. She also stepped in as the gifted and talented teacher, where she created engaging lessons and opportunities for students across grade levels to experience STEM in the remote learning world. 

"From her first year of teaching, I knew she was going to make such an impact in this profession.  Not a day goes by where she is not working tirelessly to do what's best for kids," said her nominator.

Ms. Keyton goes above and beyond in her school. Each year, being an elementary educator has not been her only role.  Currently, she is the MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) coordinator in her school and has served as the social studies chair for many years.  Ms. Keyton is also a running coach in her school for the Girls on the Run program and the Let Me Run programs. She organized and brought the Let Me Run program to her school a couple of years ago. For the last two years, students from her school successfully participated in a local 5K each year.  Ms. Keyton also helped create a DonorsChoose project during the COVID-19 pandemic that helped bring materials for an outdoor classroom at her school. She continues to look for opportunities for students, and she advocates for equitable outcomes for her students. 

"I mention all of these things about Ms. Keyton because she exemplifies all of the characteristics of what makes an educator a LifeChanger.  She makes a positive impact in the lives of students, enhances her school’s atmosphere, culture, and pride, demonstrates exemplary leadership at her school, possesses a proven record of professional excellence, and shows commitment to building a nurturing environment that not only supports learning, but creates opportunities for students.  At times, you can also find her supporting her students at their local games or events they participate in.  I couldn’t be more proud of Ms. Keyton and the contributions she has made as an educator to this profession, to her students and their families, and to her school and district community," said her nominator.