LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kendal Moustaader was nominated by her colleague, Anne Bruno.

Ms. Moustaader has been a teacher at The Foundation Academy since 2001, and all four of her children have also attended the school. She is Montessori-trained and her style of teaching has complemented the Project Inquiry-Based Learning that the school is based upon. The Foundation Academy have been associated with the Coalition of Essential Schools and practice the mission of equity and justice in the classroom. Ms. Moustaader has taught at every level, and takes her experiences with her wherever she goes.

Ms. Moustaader has been on the leadership team, assisted in the office with scholarship enrollment, worked summer camp, taught summer school and spent many years training elementary teachers in manipulatives and discovery learning. Her high expectations have helped so many students develop critical thinking skills over the years at The Foundation Academy.  From kindergarteners reading Shakespeare and writing in their journals, to having students research the plants they're growing in their team gardens, she is always engaging her students with the best quality education.

"She is an integrative, creative and highly intellectual teacher, infusing students and other teachers with realistic visions of what can be done at any level for any child," Bruno said. "She is a research queen, and shares with her students healthy eating and yoga tips for dealing with stress in their lives."

Ms. Moustaader also helps the school at Riverside Arts Market, volunteering with the produce they grow with her advisory class of 8th grade girls, many of whom she taught in their elementary years.

"Her discipline with love and logic has boded her well throughout her teaching years, teaching students the value of making good choices and being self directed in their learning," Bruno said. "She has changed many young lives and enriches the environment of her colleagues and supervisors every day with her strength and goodwill."