LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Stephanie Breyfogle was nominated by her principal, Clark Olstad.

Ms. Breyfogle is an outstanding teacher who is very good at fishing! She has many life passions, but teaching and fishing are near the top. Ms. Breyfogle is the type of person who gives 100% effort to be the best at it when she decides to do something! This fantastic work ethic is very evident each year as the Reading Specialist.

Ms. Breyfogle works with approximately 75 students at the 4-6 Elementary that need additional support to improve their reading comprehension and fluency. Ms. Breyfogle has many strengths as an educator, but one of her best strengths is her friendly and feisty personality. It is a perfect match for students who do not believe they can succeed with their reading ability. Ms. Breyfogle never lets up, continues to challenge, and uses repetition and new skills to build her students' confidence day by day. 

It's inspiring and rewarding to observe students lacking confidence in their reading skills slowly gain the basic reading blocks and continue improving. Naturally, students who do not feel confident reading will comment they do not like reading. This is not true; all students want to be confident with their reading skills and not be embarrassed in a classroom in front of their peers.

"I can't think of a better gift to give a child than the ability and joy of reading," said Olstad.

Mr. Olstad recalled a quote from a Japanese Proverb that reminded him of Ms. Breyfogle, "Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher."

"Stephanie is amazing and continues to study the newest reading research available to help our students. One of my favorite comments from a parent is when the mother said her son has always struggled to read, refused to read at home, and now, after a year with Ms. Breyfogle, reads every night at home. The parents are thrilled with the results of their children working with Stephanie. She is, and will continue to be, a Life Changer to many students and families at Plainview-Elgin-Millville Community Schools," Olstad said.