Flossmoor Teacher Receives National LifeChanger Of The Year Award

FLOSSMOOR, IL — Serena Hills Elementary School special education teacher Amy Sizemore-Green earned the National LifeChanger of the Year award, after committing to her students during the pandemic, according to a news release from Flossmoor School District 161.

According to the release, LifeChanger of the Year is a national, annual program that recognizes K through 12 educators and school employees across the country. The program celebrates those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

The district said the teacher won the award for her "continued commitment to her students, all in the midst of a year-long pandemic."

"In education, we talk a lot about 'the whole child.’ Amy doesn't just stop at the whole child," said Elizabeth Reich, principal at Serena Hills, in her nomination letter. "She makes sure the whole community gets what they need. That's her way. Whether it's extended time on a test, fewer choices in a word bank, clean clothes, a place to talk or bread and milk, students get what they need in order to feel loved, safe, capable, nourished and whole."

According to the district, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit D161 and students began remote learning, the staff at Serena Hills grew concerned for students that rely on the school’s free and reduced lunch program. That is when Sizemore-Green went straight to work to uncover a solution to this concern.

As a “Blessings in a Backpack” school, Serena Hills did have a modest stock of food available for students, but Sizemore-Green took it to the next level and partnered with Marion Catholic High School and a handful of local restaurants to secure meals for families in need, according to the district. Once secured, she hand-delivered meals and other resources to families around the community.

“We have a lot of need in our community and since I’m not a classroom teacher, when the
pandemic hit, and we went to remote, I had a tough time catching the kids and doing my job,” Sizemore-Green said. “Especially since a lot of my kids were out for a while, it was hard to
reach them. I was going crazy not being able to see them or help them.”

The district said it is unclear how many total meals were delivered by Sizemore-Green, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic she was delivering as many as 30 meals a day. Currently, Sizemore-Green continues to support anywhere from 30 to 40 families across the school district weekly.

"The District 161 community is so proud of Amy's hard work and support of our families,” said Superintendent Dr. Dana Smith. “She is an excellent example of someone who sees an issue and springs into action to solve a community problem. I am so thankful that she is part of our team."

The district said that when asked why she feels compelled to go above and beyond for not only her students, but the entire Serena Hills community, and what the LifeChanger of the Year award means to her, Sizemore-Green had this to say.

“I'm not naive in thinking that what I did changed their lives, but it certainly added something
good and positive to their day,” Sizemore-Green said. “This is what it's all about. Giving our
community and the students with the highest needs the feeling of a little bit of hope. This is why it's so amazing to be recognized for what I do.”

In addition to the award, Sizemore-Green was also awarded a $500 donation from LifeChanger of the Year through AdoptAClassroom.org that she intends to use to continue her student
support efforts.