LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Julie Rexroat was nominated by her principal, Shelley Heath.

When you picture the first day of school for a little one, you picture a teacher welcoming that new learner with a big smile and instilling the life-long journey of learning. Julie Rexroat is that teacher at Wilson Elementary. What sets her apart is her passion to make a difference for each child that walks through the doors, not just the first day, but every day. She does this by greeting them and welcoming them to class, asking them how their day is going, how their basketball game was last night, or if they would like to have lunch with her today for their amazing choices! Ms. Rexroat has that natural ability to make a person's day the best day ever. It doesn't matter if you are 5 or 95, she just has a way of making people feel like they are the most important people in the world. She takes time out of her day to stop and ask how people are doing, if they need anything, or if there is something that a student needs some extra help with on an assignment. Ms. Rexroat wants to give her time and make a difference for students and her colleagues. She wants her school to shine and to be special.

Ms. Rexroat has taken on a very important leadership role on campus by designing and producing the school's weekly news. She works with teams of students on a weekly basis to produce an amazing broadcast for the entire student body. This segment is filled with book talks, science experiments, school updates, calendar events, current events, activities and units of study that specific classes are working on and special "shout-outs" for highlighted celebrations. Ms. Rexroat has helped the students learn new technology skills and team building skills while they produce this weekly segment. Another leadership role she has taken on is helping with the student council and broadcasting their campaign speeches. This new process has allowed for students to watch the speeches and cast their votes directly in their classrooms. Her technology skills are endless. She teaches and shares these skills with students throughout the learning day!

In addition, Ms. Rexroat will also present current technology and resource lessons to students from grades K-6 in the media center. She is a master at this, and the students are fascinated by her lessons and what she presents for her content. She is consistently communicating with classroom teachers to make sure she is making connections for student success. This link of talking with the teachers and being present in her weekly PLC (Professional Learning Community) meetings is a huge part to student achievement.

"As a principal, I can't tell you how amazing it is to consistently walk into a learning environment and see kids so actively engaged in learning!” Heath said. “This describes Julie and her media center! Kids are happy, focused and motivated to learn. Julie is a person who always wants to do her best in everything she does, and this is proven in her everyday encounters with all who surround her.”

Ms. Rexroat’s smile will "warm your heart" and make your day terrific. She is a role-model to all that surround her. She cares about kids, about adults, and about what is best for education. Wilson School is blessed to have this amazing and talented teacher working with its students, each and every day!