Heather Rice was nominated by Miranda Alvarez, a former student, as well as an anonymous current student.
Ms. Rice perfectly embodies what a LifeChanger is. Throughout Alvarez' last two years of high school, she was blessed with the opportunity to be under Ms. Rice's instruction.
"In a short amount of time, she taught me countless skills through her communications and yearbook classes. Not a day passed by where we didn't start off class with a 'Real Talk with Rice,' where Mrs. Rice would simply teach us valuable life skills through stories of her own personal experiences," Ms. Alvarez said. ""She not only cared about my time in high school and helping me get through that season of life, but she saw my potential and equipped me to be fully prepared for my future."
Around One School, Mrs. Rice is known as the students' "Teacher Mama." If her students are ever having a bad day or need advice, they knew they can turn to her for wisdom and truth.
"Her devotion to her performance, scholars, and the environment she creates in her classroom sets her apart. First off, leading a yearbook team in itself is a very time-consuming and tedious job. Along with everything else she has on her plate, she still is able to perform at a high standard of excellence, and she holds her scholars to that same level. Mrs. Rice is truly an inspiration to every person she encounters!" Alvarez said.
"I met Heather Rice the summer before my junior year, when I was touring One School of the Arts. My parents and I were considering different schools for me to attend," Rice's other nominator said. "Right away I was captivated by her bright personality and bright room. I knew that she was going to be my favorite teacher before I even started going to the school. My first day in her classroom she made it very clear to me and the whole class that she would be there to help us through issues school work wise and personally. She taught us in a way that I had never been taught before."
Mrs.Rice is always ready to try something new. She is out going and up beat. Mrs.Rice is always in a great mood when she teaches.
Mrs. Rice is a great mentor she has changed my life and has helped me become a more organized and responsible person. I'm am very grateful for all of the things that Mrs rice has done for me.
Totally deserving of the life changer of the year. Heather is a passionate person that puts 100 percent on whatever she does.
Mrs. Heather Rice is an amazing teacher and outstanding person. She is a gifted leader with a huge heart for the kids she teaches. She is so passionate about teaching and truly cares about making a difference in the lives of each and every child that comes into her class.
Heather is a gifted, talented teacher and photographer. She has a zest and love for life, loves her students and strives to help them be their best. I live hearing of her classroom adventures and seeing her beautiful photography. She is well deserving of this award.
Heather is one of the most extraordinary people I’ve ever met. Her work ethic and passion for her students and children are awe inspiring. There is nothing that she cannot do.
I am hoping you get your camera equipment, Heather!!! Your kids are that important!! I love the effort, time, and passion you put into your “kids” and their learning. Blessings!!
Mrs. Rice is a great example to young adults. My now graduated son had the opportunity to have Heather as a teacher. Hard work, dedication, new ideas, fun, challenging. She has it all!
I have Mrs. Rice first period of the school day, and I am glad for it. Mrs. Rice pours out everything she has for us every morning. She has unlimited amounts of positive energy to give to us scholars throughout the school day and beyond! I was at first reluctant to take her classes, but ever since I chose to, I have loved it and have regretted it not one bit! She has encouraged me to be a better scholar and a better person in general!
I’ve had the please of knowing heather for many years now. The dedication she shows to teaching and expanding our youths minds shows in everything she does! Recently I ventured into a category I know nothing about, digital art, I reached out to heather to gain some advice on the best tools for my young daughter to utilize to help her expand her knowledge on digital art. Heather was so quick to offer advice and recommendations, she truly helped me find the best tools for my daughter. Anyone who goes above and beyond their job duties, even outside of work, deserve to be praised and awarded. I know how much her students would benefit from this generous gift.
Heather Rice is a caring and loving person. This shows in her teaching. She is known for bringing her classes alive with her enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement for what she teaches. She definitely deserves this award!
Mr. Rice is not your usual teacher. She has a dedication to her students that is beyond compare! Without her realizing it, she changes lives daily. Her
positive drive helps her students to “think out of the box”. Her influence has changed the goals of many of her students. They learn to “aim for their dreams”. She is “One of a Kind”.
She is an amazing teacher who inspires not only the kids she teaches but also the people around her! She deserves this and so much more for all she does!
Heather is the kind of teacher I would have loved! She puts so much thought and effort in making each day with her scholars count!
Mrs. Heather Rice deserves this award! My son is in her seventh grade Digital Media class. When he found out that Digital Media was taking the place of PE for the first half of the year, he insisted he was doing a class change immediately. I asked him to give it two week's time. Reluctantly he agreed. By the end of the two weeks Digital Media was his favorite class! He has learned so much from Mrs. Rice, and much of it goes far beyond just classroom learning. She is definitely a life-changer. He now wants to take every class that's offered by her from now through his senior year!
If you want something done with efficiency and excellence, Heather Rice is the person to link arms with. She is energetic, honest, and passionate.
Heather is so passionate about her career, and loves her students like her own children. Everyone knows it, they can all tell they are treasured by her. She makes learning exciting with her energetic personality and creative genius. Compassionate, caring, willingness to help both personally and academically, she is everything you would expect from a life changer.
Mrs. Rice is dedicated and committed to her student. On of the qualities that stands our for me as a parent is her passion to see her students succeed. Mrs. Rice challenges her students to recognize their inner ability and excel to their maximum potential.
Thank you Mrs. Rice for all that you do for our children.
Mrs. Rice is truly amazing! She is extremely accomplished and dedicated to what she does. I have been given the opporunity to be a part of the Yearbook team and I cherish every moment with her. Mrs. Rice has a kind of "spunk" in her personality that is inspiring. She is always ready to help someone and gives honest and reliable feedback. I have known her for just three and a half months, but have been repeatedly blessed by her wisdom and skills she has shown me. Mrs. Rice's endless positive charm will continue to affect me for the rest of my life. I look foward to making more memories with her in the future. Love ya Teacher Mama!
Dear Mom,
I hope you have a great Christmas morning. I hope you make it to win the award. And I hope that your having a great time. I love you Mother,
- Tyson
Heather is a wonderful passionate and compassionate educator. The combination of her technical, marketing, communication skills combined with the love for her students,individually and collectively has proven over and over her to be a life-changing influence on her scholars.
She also shows to be a true friend and colleague with her faculty members through thick and thin, challenges and victories associated with daily scholastic life.
Parent, co faculty, friend
Angelo Ballestero
Mrs Rice has captivated my son. He is a 10th grader who has a learning disability and has struggled all of his school life with grades, confidence and motivation. Mrs Rice has inspired and instilled a confidence I have never seen in him before. She stays on him and pushes him to extend and reach further then what he thought could. Teachers can teach and I admire that. When a teacher can inspire and show their students they are far greater and talented then what they think of themselves. She has lit the fire of many of her students, that fire that takes them to the next level, to college, to a successful business. You know that one teacher you want to go back and thank? That is Mrs. Rice, her students will return to thank her.
Mrs. Rice creates a place to learn without sacrificing the creativity or fun. She truly cares about the well-being and success of her students beyond the classroom, and once a student, always a student!
Mrs. Rice is a wonderful teacher! She was one of my daughter's teachers and what marked my daughter's two years at this school is how much her teachers actually cared about her. Mrs. Rice leads the charge in this respect, not only teaching her class what they need to succeed in the course. She teaches her scholars what they need to succeed in life and she genuinely loves them!!! She truly is a life-changer!!!
Mrs.Rice is an amazing teacher, and I wake up in the morning remembering that I have my favorite class first period. She tells us story’s that are meaning full, and always somehow changes my life.
Mrs. Rice is a great teacher, she is very happy and joyful about teaching her scholars.
Heather embodies everything you hope your child would experience in a classroom from a teacher. She sees each of her scholars as individuals, and empowers them to succeed not just in her classroom but in life. Working with her is equal parts joy and privilege. If the world had more teachers like Heather many of our societal challenges would cease to exist. God has given her a true gift. I am forever grateful for the way she has impacted my daughter and inspired me. She truly is a Life Changer!
I met Heather as one of my daughters teachers that she spoke so highly of. I now know Heather personally, she is an amazing teacher and person. Her interaction with kids couldn't be better, her teaching skills are on point, and her personality tops it off. If anyone deserves this award I believe Heather is top choice.
Mrs. Rice is someone that I adore. She always puts her students before herself and is always at their best interest. Mrs. Rice has been an amazing mentor to me in the digital media world & she really sprouted an interest in me for graphic design. Mrs. Rice definitely deserves this award for her selflessness & the way that she interacts and teaches her students. So much love for her??
Mrs. Rice elevates student thinking and learning to a higher level. She lifts scholars’ perspectives from a “seat in a classroom,” to real-world application through academic adventure, goal-setting and deadline-meeting achievements, travel experiences when scholars’ efforts win competition recognition, and a bird’s-eye view of scholars’ future potential when they treat each school day as an important investment in their future life. Mrs. Rice awakens creativity and imparts lasting passion and drive in each scholar (and parent!) she knows. Her energy and passion for teaching, learning, caring and accomplishment are infectious!!
Mrs. Rice has become more than to a teacher to my class and I, she has become a person we look up to. Mrs. Rice is an extraordinary role model, she doesn’t give us work just for a grade. She helps us be prepared for the future and cares for us. She always keeps class interesting with her stories, and keeps us laughing. Mrs. Rice is the most amazing teacher a scholar could have.
I have had the privilege of working with Heather for over 2 years now. She touches and changes the lives of everyone she comes in contact with. Knowing her is loving her and experiencing all the blessings that comes with being around her. Seeing how she loves and commits to her students and gives 100% of herself daily is so inspiring! She is a true life changer!
Fearless, dedicated, empathetic, passionate and knowledgeable (beyond words). These are just some of the qualities that Heather exudes everyday. “No” and “can’t” are not in her vocabulary! Whenever asked to do anything. “We’ll get it done!” Is always her answer. Her scholars are exposed to so much: passion, creativity, culture, experience and joy everyday with Heather. Not only is she an amazing mother and colleague, but she is one of the best teachers and “life changers” I have ever met. I can not wait until my own children are blessed to have her. She cultivates a generation of children that want to and will change the world. Thank you Heather, for your never-ending passion, energy, and wisdom!
I’m privileged to work alongside this amazing teacher for the last 4 years! Heather’s dedication to seeing the kids make their goals, reach their goals and find new ones is incredible. I’m so excited for my daughter to have her class eventually. If I had a teacher like Heather in HS I would have known my potential was limitless! Heather is so deserving of this award.
I’m privileged to work alongside this amazing teacher for the last 4 years! Heather’s dedication to seeing the kids make their goals, reach their goals and find new ones is incredible. I’m so excited for my daughter to have her class eventually. If I had a teacher like Heather in HS I would have known my potential was limitless! Heather is so deserving of this award.
Many things can be said about Heather; she is a woman that wears many hats-and she wears them WELL! She achieves anything she sets her mind to, but with Heather the sky is the limit. Her students refer to her as Ms. Rice Teacher Mama because that is truly what she is to them. Her students love and respect her so much! Heather goes above and beyond with everything she does at her school. From being in charge of the yearbook, to working with the digital media class, to giving her business students real-life experiences Heather makes learning come to life! If I lived in the area I would definitely want my kids in her classes. So happy that Heather has been recognized this year as a Life Changer Nominee!
I have had the pleasure of Mrs. Rice being my daughter's teacher for 3 years. Each year I've seen my daughter grow as a result of the opportunities and challenges Mrs. Rice gives her. Mrs. Rice is a teacher with a huge heart and is intentional with each one of her scholars in their growth and development in her class. Here energy and love for them send unlimited; this build confidence in each child and inspires them to do more. She provides them with leadership opportunities to him then in there journey as tomorrow's leaders. She is a phenomenal teacher! I love her dearly.
Heather Rice doesn’t just teach classes or hand out homework; she imparts life’s wisdom the best way she knows how— by getting up close and personal. Her classroom isn’t just a place for learning, it’s a haven for scholars to come and be known and feel loved.
When I think of Heather, I think about the amalgamation of coaches and teachers I've had throughout my educational career who moved me to profound dimensions--not just inspiring me, but awakening my soul to do something wild, candid, unique, passionate, and purposeful-- to fall in love with what I love to do and what I didn't know I could do. Heather is another one of these humans, and she does this on a daily basis as an educator. She brings a dynamic energy to One School of the Arts, but really, she's just sensational with her kids. She is the teacher + coach + mentor dreams are made of. I enjoy seeing her tenacity on projects and the saturation of love she has for her scholars. No one escapes her classroom unloved! This is beautiful. She cares openly for her scholars and let's them know everyday that they matter. She is a friend and teacher, and I just feel honored to know her. Heather is a true educator. She's busy about making a difference in her students' lives and changing their lives for the better. She is a life changer by definition.
Heather Rice is among the finest quality of teachers. She uses wisdom, experience, classic understanding and the latest technology to connect her scholars with their lessons. She guides them personally while holding high standards for them as a class. Mrs. Rice also lives her lessons as a working professional, adviser, colleague and true friend.
Because Ms. Rice gives her heart and soul to her scholars, her scholars are inspired to give their best. She encourages them to pursue excellence. She believes in her scholars even when they don’t believe in themselves. It is an honor to work with a teacher who is not only passionate about her work but highly gifted as well!
Mrs. Rice is tireless is her dedication to her students. In her classroom, she creates a learning environment where her scholars thrive and feel comfortable to be creative. She excels at working with students on collaborative projects where each student finds his/her strengths and shines. She creates the need to hustle, but doesn't forget the fun. Her students love her and trust her, and she in turn goes above and beyond to create learning experiences that they will remember for a lifetime. Mrs. Rice is a teacher who truly cares and makes a difference each day she steps into her classroom or ventures out into the world on a field trip with her scholars. She is truly amazing.
Mrs. Rice is an amazing teacher who goes above and beyond for her students and family. She takes pride in all of her work.
From the first year Heather taught my kids, she instantly because family! Now almost 20 years later she remains one of the most influential persons in my life. She does something, I’m on board. She buys something, I’m on board. She just has to reach out and request my support and even if it doesn’t work out how we anticipated she can count on my support! We love Heather Rice!!
Mrs. Rice has been a teacher of mine since I was in 8th grade. What started out as her just being a teacher, led to something more than just a typical teacher-scholar relationship. No matter what Mrs. Rice is there for me. She teaches me valuable life lessons, not every teacher teaches a scholar, corrects me when I am wrong, and goes above and beyond the norm. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me. Words cannot express how much of an impact she has on my life. I am in my senior year of high school and yet I know without a shadow of doubt that she will continue to impact my life.
Heather is not only an amazing and engaging teacher, but a wonderful coworker as well. Though we no longer work together I often think back fondly to the time that we did. I learned so much from her just by observing her methods and interactions with the kids. She truly is one of the best!
Heather Rice lives out her message of giving it your all both in her personal life as well as in her business life. She cares all the way and puts all she's got into all she does. She leads her scholars and her colleagues by example. Scholars that come through her class work hard but know they are loved. She accepts no less than everyone's personal best because it is her work motto as well. Heather is a positive role model and a great friend.
