LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Juan Carlos Balanta Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo was born to be a teacher. I have taught fourth grade in P.S.232 for 8 years now, and I still recall my first month due to a crucial intervisitation my principal at the time scheduled for me in Mrs. Rizzo's classroom. I observed as she expertly led her students in a shared dialogue about a novel they were currently reading. It was only September, yet students already felt comfortable speaking out without the need of raising their hands. Mrs. Rizzo lead by posing thought-provoking questions, and the students were actively engaged by asking questions of their own. Watching the discussion go back and forth was a thing of beauty and inspired me to implement this Socratic method into my own instruction. Throughout the years, Mrs. Rizzo and I have collaborated on a few projects, and I continue to be impressed by her creative ideas and her rapport with the students. Her passion for teaching is infectious, motivating, and awe-inspiring. I know that having Mrs. Rizzo in my life has changed it for the better, which is why I whole-heartedly recommend her for LifeChanger of the Year. Her positive energy makes us all better.

Jolie Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo is currently my homeroom and ELA teacher. I love everything about the way she teaches. She is so creative and she tries to teach every student in a way that works for them individually. We have the best decorated classroom. She puts so much heart and soul into making us happy. She also started Student Counsel. I am so happy to be apart of it as Reporter. Mrs. Rizzo helps bring out my confidence. I’ve been scared to go in front of people, even my friends sometimes, but because of her, I’m going to be saying my third speech in-front of my class. I am so happy about the person I have grown into in these past months. I hope next year she moves to 7th grade so I can have her again. Even my brother told me I would love her as my teacher and he’s in college now. He remembers how fun and nice she is. I can’t think of any teacher more deserving of this award. She also started Cookies and Conversations and I can’t wait to go Wednesday!

Coreen Mann Posted over a year ago

Cheryl Rizzo is a perfect choice for LifeChanger of the Year. She is an amazing teacher because she is an amazing person. As her mother, I have watched her devote her life to making others' lives better since she was an elementary school student helping her classmates with schoolwork they did not understand up to the present day where she dedicates her time to her students by founding new groups such as Cookies and Conversations, a literary group for students and their families. Mrs. Rizzo also runs the Student Council, encouraging the team to participate in a multitude of fundraising events by utilizing artivism for the better good of the community. She spends countless hours finding new and innovative ways to teach her lessons and even while she is on vacation, she is acutely aware of her surroundings, always looking for something new and exciting to share with her students. Mrs. Rizzo's daughter attends the school in which she teaches and without exaggeration, as I stand outside her school waiting to pick up my granddaughter, I am approached by parents and students almost every day who praise Mrs. Rizzo. Students who have had her rave about how great her class was and what a great teacher she is. Prospective students express their excitement to get into Mrs. Rizzo's class when they get into middle school because they have heard so much about her from their older siblings and friends. They all express the same sentiments - Mrs. Rizzo cares about each and every one of us and she treats us all with respect. In my eyes, Cheryl Rizzo is the LifeChanger of the Year, year after year after year.

Alyvia Cruz Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo has only been my teacher for almost 2 months and she's already my favorite teacher. She's very selfless and kind. She does the best she can everyday she teaches. Mrs. Rizzo is by far one of the best teachers. Mrs. Rizzo is always kind to each and every one of her students. Mrs. Rizzo is always a help to everyone. She is my favorite teacher from this year.

roxana w Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Rizzo is a creative ,kind and selfless teacher. I've only known her for seven weeks but so far she has been one of my favorite teachers in my whole student experience. Mrs.Rizzo has helped my school so much ever since she started working at ps 232. She introduced me and my peers to so many fun learning styles and projects and has created a fun safe learning experience for us. For example, Mrs.Rizzo made a fun project called a Story Road and it's such a fun and educational project. -Roxana

Connie Yuan Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo has been my teacher since this September, and she's one of the best teachers I've had so far. She has lots of things to teach us in 6th grade and she teaches us by fun ways. She is very inspiring and she has won many awards. Every day, I wait for the period I have her for ELA and I'm always excited to enter her classroom to start the fun learning. I can't wait to have a fun year with her. She is a really fun and kind teacher and I'm so happy to have her as my homeroom teacher this year.

Chloe Brown Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Rizzo is a kind and inspiring teacher who is one of the most helpful people I know. Everything she does is to help other people. She's done so much for me in only 1 month. She makes learning fun so that you enjoy learning but still learn. She is kind but still teaches us to respect and be kind to others. She loves her job and cares about her students as if they are family. She does fun events and includes fun stuff like clickers, and making bracelets based off of books. She also encourages us to read by doing stuff like giving us reading logs that are very flexible, and raffling off books. Anyone you ask who knows Mrs.Rizzo will tell you, she's the one for this award.

Sophia Samuel Posted over a year ago

Hello I am Sophia Samuel and I am one of Mrs. Rizzo's current students. Mrs. Rizzo is a very caring, fun and inspiring teacher. The first day I met her, I already knew that she was going to be fun. I really love how she did a bracelet activity and she said that she would do more fun activities going forward. I already knew her for a while because she has also taught my siblings. She is very creative and she even comes up with creative outfits. Like one time, she wore a dress that looked like a marble notebook with a pencil headband. She has a very big heart and a strong passion for helping others. I really like how she has a fun and happy personality. She has very fun plans going forward for us. She cares a lot about her students. She brightens everyone's day. She is a very fun teacher and I can't wait to have her going forward.This is why I think Mrs. Rizzo deserves the LifeChanger award.

Evan Pro Posted over a year ago

I am Evan and this is why Mrs.Rizzo should get the LifeChanger award. Mrs. Rizzo has been the best teacher for my siblings and I. My siblings, Alice and Dana, both told me about how amazing of a teacher Mrs.Rizzo was. My sister Alice is 24 and Dana is 21. They both had Mrs. Rizzo as a teacher and loved her. I'm currently seeing how what my siblings told me was true. So far, for me, I'm seeing Mrs.Rizzo is a very nice teacher and seeing how amazing she is just like my siblings told me. Mrs.Rizzo is very nice and always gives us an option and always has a smile on her face. With Mrs.Rizzo, the school year feels like it will be a lot of fun. Seeing how correct my siblings are, I feel that Mrs.Rizzo will make this school year most memorable for me.

Adriana S Posted over a year ago

Hello, I'm Adriana S and I believe Mrs.Rizzo deserves the “LifeChanger” award because Mrs.Rizzo (my homeroom teacher) is a very social and kind person. Even though I haven't known Mrs. Rizzo for long, it's really easy to see she's such a kind person. Mrs.Rizzo is really kind to everyone in the classroom and gives everyone an equal opportunity to learn and grow. She also gives everyone a chance to help around the classroom. Along with fun group projects and presentations and debates, Mrs.Rizzo has a really fun way of teaching and not only is it fun work but, it's very skillful. We read interesting books and work on grammar and punctuation. Each day I come into Mrs.Rizzo's room I have a smile on my face! One thing I really enjoy about Mrs.Rizzo is her way of teaching us, I never get bored in her class. She shares cool and relevant stories, and not only do we get to listen to her, we share stories as well. She's a good person just to talk to if you’re feeling down.She runs an organization throughout middle school, Student Council, we had an election and meetings with them. If you didn't make the Student Council you can still pitch your ideas to her. She includes everyone in everything! This is why Mrs.Rizzo really deserves the “LifeChanger” award. Thank you Mrs.Rizzo for being an AMAZING teacher!

Alonso Sanchez Molina Posted over a year ago

I am one of Mrs. Rizzo's current students. I have known her since September, I know it is not long but that is enough time to know that she is a nice person who cares about other people. She has been nice to me and everyone else and her lessons are amazing. All the lessons are very detailed and helps us learn better. I can see the hard work she puts in her lessons. She spends her time to think of lessons to help her students to have a brighter future. Mrs. Rizzo has been in this school for a long time that means she has patience. I can see she is a fun person because she took her time to transfer her classroom into a little cafe. So I recommend her to get the award.

Olivia Vitale :) Posted over a year ago

Hello I am Olivia Vitale . Ms Rizzo is my homeroom teacher this year and she is very fun and tries to make conversation with the students and tries to make us answer questions from a part of a book. When we are reading a novel, she tries to ask questions for us to have a better understanding of the text and to make sure we know what we are reading. what I like so far about her is that she tries to make a project about a book into something creative for us something that we can enjoy class. For example, we made book bracelets instead of writing a whole response. Another thing I like that she respects everyones religion, culture and their sexuality. She tries to make everyone feel comfortable in her classroom, which she makes them feel welcome. Mrs. Rizzo is very against bullying and will stand against it. She will try and defend someone if she sees bullying happening in our school.

Jace Marin Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo has been my teacher from this September. She is one of the most supportive people that I know in the world. She does many fun and great things such as emoji cards, and student council. She respects your decisions and whenever something is due and you have not completed it, she gives more time for you to do it. she is the best teacher I have had so far and the best middle school teacher. I'm lucky to have her as my 6th grade homeroom teacher. She is a caring educator that loves to teach. she makes hard activities more fun and easy to do so everybody in the class likes it. When she gets mad she doesn't yell and she works it out another way.

Emma.S Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Rizzo has been my teacher since this September. From the first day of school I already knew this would be the most fun year yet. So far I am right. Mrs.Rizzo has made every possible lesson so much fun and she is funny. Including the boring lessons that she has to teach us. Mrs. Rizzo is nice, sweet, caring, creative and so much more. Mrs. Rizzo also puts others before herself. I already know this year will be the best yet.

Sadeem M Posted over a year ago

As a student currently in 601s homeroom as Mrs. Rizzo as my homeroom teacher she definitely starts the year out with giving us confidence. On the first day of school, I had Mrs. Rizzo first period and it was the best period of my day. She started the year off on us having a good mindset throughout the day. Mrs. Rizzo continues doing that, when I have her first period, making me a better student every day. Knowing I have a short attention span, her class really intrigues me. She elaborates on everything and she makes her lessons very creative. She showed me a teaching method that all of my other teachers have not. I didn't even know I would be able to learn this way. I believe Mrs. Rizzo is the best teacher I could ever ask for to say the least. She really does everything she can to make the next era of adults as best as possible.

Addison Dove Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Rizzo is an amazing teacher because she is dedicated to her job. To add on, Mrs. Rizzo shows that she cares for each and every student because of her big smile every day. She makes our days better and our class as a whole finds her room relaxing in general. Mrs. Rizzo is always a fun person to be around. Even only with being a month in with her, Mrs. Rizzo presents her teaching with fun lessons that get better every day. Mrs.Rizzo is someone cherished in P.S. 232.

Victoria B. Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo had been my teacher since September of this semester. I love her positive thinking and moods. She is very open minded to her students and herself. She makes her classroom feel like a safe place to all. She uses creative ways to make ELA more fun. I am very glad that I have her as my homeroom teacher and ELA teacher. Ms Rizzo does not sit right with bullying , if she hears anything that involves in bullying she won't let it slide. I cant wait to know what else we will learn throughout the semester.

Barbara Rizzo Posted over a year ago

Cheryl Rizzo should be the LifeChanger of the Year because she is so involved in the community. She goes beyond the school and works with many outside organizations - between winning the Flag Award for Teaching Excellence to being part of the Tannenbaum Foundation for religious tolerance.

ava noto Posted over a year ago

Ms rizzo was the best and most creative ELA teachers i have ever had. she always came up with great things that kept her class so fun and exciting. She had so many clubs at 232 that are open to anyone. She is a great teacher and person and she inspired me a lot over these years. She made 7th grade ELA so fun for me and I was always so excited to go into that class everyday. Support Ms Rizzo!!

Daniel del Nido Posted over a year ago

To the LifeChanger of the Year Award selection committee, In my capacity as Assistant Director of Education at the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, I interact with educators from around the country. I have met many motivated, creative, and impactful teachers during my three years with the organization. In each of these three areas, Cheryl Rizzo stands out. Her strengths both as a teacher and as a colleague make her an excellent candidate for the LifeChanger of the Year Award. I have had the pleasure of working with Cheryl for the past two years as a member of our Education Advisory Board, a group of educators who meets monthly to develop best practices in inclusive education and to grow as teachers. Cheryl’s love and care for her students comes across in each meeting. From considering ways to resolve interpersonal conflicts in her school to ensuring that Muslim students could participate in activities related to music during Ramadan, Cheryl always puts the needs of her students first. And her work to ensure the well-being of her students omits no one. Students have told her both publicly and privately that they feel safe in her classroom, sometimes safer than anywhere else. Her motivation to do what’s best for her students makes Cheryl an inspiration both to other members of our Advisory Board and to myself and my colleagues at Tanenbaum. Cheryl’s motivation to help her students grow is matched by the creativity she brings to her role as a teacher and leader within P.S. 232Q where she works. As part of our work in the Education Advisory Board, we ask members to bring Tanenbaum’s written curricula into their schools and classrooms and provide feedback on their impact. From the very beginning of her time with us, Cheryl has envisioned ways to use our curricula that we at Tanenbaum had never considered. Some of these ways go outside of the classroom to impact the whole school, such as when Cheryl used a curriculum on understanding religious identity with the Student Council she oversees to design an inclusive door decorating contest for the holidays. Others involve artistic and collaborative work. When concluding work on a curriculum on conflict resolution, she created an activity where students were asked to depict their ways of responding to conflict at the beginning and end of the year. I logged onto Zoom for our next meeting to find Cheryl in her classroom surrounded by student art, beaming with pride in their work. Cheryl constantly brings brilliant new ideas to her classroom and to her colleagues on the Advisory Board and raises up everyone around her. It is easy to quantify the impact of Cheryl’s work. Pre- and post-assessments of her students’ abilities to understand and welcome religious difference, communicate respectfully, and resolve conflicts show strong growth as a result of her teaching. What always impresses me, though, is how she inspires both her students and her colleagues to be their best selves and do their best work. After delivering a pre-assessment on religious diversity, Cheryl noticed that while her students stated that they respected people of different religious backgrounds, they knew little about each other’s religious identities. In response, she posed to her students the following question: “How can you show respect for something you don’t understand?” This question, brilliant in both its simplicity and its depth, caused not only her students to reflect but also her fellow members on the Advisory Board. Cheryl makes the most of her opportunities to impact the people around her and succeeds in making everyone, myself included, think more deeply about our work. In doing so, she helps us all grow. It is for this reason that I enthusiastically recommend Cheryl Rizzo for this year’s LifeChanger of the Year Award. Daniel del Nido Assistant Director, Education Program Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding

Jayden Galarza Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo is a caring and innovative educator with a passion for inspiring students and fellow teachers alike. Through out my 2 years of having Mrs.Rizzo as my teacher she felt more like a mentor helping me through the struggles of 7th and 8th grade she was there through the high and the lows.

Nikita Wu Posted over a year ago

I've had Mrs. Rizzo as my English teacher for 7th and 8th grade and I can full-heartedly say that she's genuinely changed me life. Before I went into Mrs. Rizzo's classroom, I always hated English with a passion and dreaded going to school due to the lessons being boring or the teacher wasn't interesting, but when I attended Mrs. Rizzo's class, I was full of excitement and always was eager to go to her class. Her lessons helped me with a lot of issues I had with myself because we talked a lot about our culture and it helped me feel more connected to my culture. Not only are her lessons interesting, but also educational and fun. Furthermore, she has always been there for her students and would always check in on our mental health. A fond memory I have of Mrs. Rizzo would be in 8th grade, when I started sobbing my eyes out in her class and she pulled me out of the classroom to talk to me and comfort me. I was going through a rough time and she had helped me get through some of my issues. It's never been a day since I haven't missed the classroom Mrs. Rizzo gave us and the comfort she gave to me and all of her students. She has always been there for people and would always listen to you and it's something that makes her stand out from other teachers. Even when I got my goal of becoming valedictorian, it seemed as if she was more proud and happy for me than I was for myself. I truly think that ever since I stepped foot into Mrs. Rizzo's classroom, she has impacted my life so much for the better and I wish her nothing but the best.

Jailah Pessagno Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Rizzo is a caring teacher inside and outside of the classroom. She takes her responsibility of being a teacher above and beyond even helping students with anxiety and personal problems. Whenever you stepped inside of her classroom you felt an immediate safe space. I had Mrs.Rizzo for 2 years while I was at P.s.232Q and those were the best two years of my life. I enjoyed her activities as they were always engaging and diverse. I was also with Mrs.Rizzo for student council and throughout my experience she made sure every voice was heard and made sure every voice in the school also got represented. One day I came to school with an injury on my foot and Mrs.Rizzo was the first to pull me aside and ask if I was okay and needed anything, she was very clearly concerned and tried her very best to make me feel comfortable throughout my injury. Mrs.Rizzo was an amazing teacher and even now in my freshmen year of high school, I still miss my old English class, as it was always filled with laughter, warmth, and kindness.

Alannah Behler Posted over a year ago

It was seventh grade, it was my first day back to school, and ever since then, I will never forget the most amazing teacher ever. Ms. Rizzo made classroom activities so much fun and tons of memories were made in only four walls. My experience as one of her students was the best. She makes creative assignments that make English class more exciting. She has left an amazing memory in each students hearts. My friends and I always talk about how much we need to talk to Ms. Rizzo. She continues to make school exciting, in the eighth grade I was always thinking about her class and wondering what we were going to be doing, because everyday when I had her it was an amazing time.

Rosemary Casella Posted over a year ago

Hi my name is Rosemary Casella and my experience with Mrs Rizzo was my favorite memory in ps.232. I love her so much and I love how she always made jokes to cheer her students up. My favorite memory was when she was teaching a lesson and said “best day ever” as one of her jokes, and It reminded me of the song from SpongeBob. Whenever we felt sad or angry we sang best day ever to remind us to keep going and to never give up. Thank you for being such an inspiration to me. Thanks to you I want to be an author and make my own book. I miss you MRS RIZZO AND BEST DAY EVER!!

Janice Lohmann Posted over a year ago

Cheryl Rizzo has been a colleague of mine at P.S. 232Q for the past 11 years. From the first moment I met Cheryl, I knew that she was special. Not only is Cheryl a truly amazing teacher, but she is also genuine, kind, and helpful to everyone she meets. She is caring and nurturing to all her students and her students love and respect her. Cheryl brings excitement to her lessons and engages children to learn. Cheryl’s classroom reflects how she gets students to love reading with her little bistro table, chairs, umbrella, and coffee shop backdrop. Cheryl has transformed her cramped and dingy New York City school classroom into a relaxing little cafe where students feel free to relax, read and work. When a student enters Cheryl’s classroom, they know that they are in a caring and non-judgmental environment. Many of the students in our school come from difficult home situations and need a space and a person with whom they feel safe to talk to. Cheryl takes time to listen to each of her students and makes their feelings and worries heard. Everyday, she gives up her lunch period to work with students if they need help or if they just want to talk, they know Mrs. Rizzo is someone who they can confide in. Many students take the opportunity to spend their free time with Mrs. Rizzo as well, hoping that some of her magic rubs off on them. Some of the students have been known to equate her with “Mrs. Frizzle” the quirky, beloved teacher from the children’s book “The Magic School Bus.” Instead of calling Cheryl “Mrs. Frizzle,” students call her “Mrs. Rizzle” because she is so much like the amazing teacher in this series of books. Just being around Mrs. Rizzo makes kids, from all different backgrounds, feel like they are special and like they matter. In addition to working as a middle school ELA teacher, Cheryl has contributed so much to P.S. 232Q and to the school community. She is the Student Council Advisor and a mentor for new teachers to our school. Cheryl reaches out to the community and gets parents involved and engaged in reading and learning with their children. I have seen first-hand how very successful her “Cookies and Conversations” workshops after school bring families together through her love of reading that she passes along to them. With her colleagues, Cheryl loves to collaborate with other teachers. She is extremely flexible and puts all her heart and soul into everything that she does. I believe that Cheryl Rizzo should win “The LifeChanger of the Year Award” because of the positive impact she has made in the lives of so many of her students, parents, and colleagues. I can go on and on about all of Cheryl’s accomplishments but, when it really comes down to it, and what really matters is that there are very few people in this world who have that certain magic quality that Cheryl has. Her positive attitude and genuine care and selflessness enable her to make others feel confident and good about themselves. Cheryl’s hard work and dedication to her students and to our school is unparalleled. She has changed the lives of countless students and colleagues whom she has touched throughout her teaching career. It has been a pleasure working and collaborating with Cheryl Rizzo for the past 11 years and an honor just to be lucky enough to know someone like her. I highly recommend Cheryl Rizzo for “The LifeChanger of the Year Award.”

Wendy Miller Gamer Posted over a year ago

I have worked with Cheryl since the Summer of 2022 via our mutual partnership with the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding. Over the past year and a half, I have observed Cheryl advocate for the value of inclusive diversity education practices while elevating and celebrating the creativity of her students. Cheryl's professional presence, elite-level skills, and enthusiasm for her work have a positive impact on her students and on her school community. Cheryl is an educator who changes lives. I know, i've seen teachers like her before! Even as a mid-career professional, I continue to remember and value the high school educator who changed my life. I hold an absolute confidence that down the road, decades from now perhaps, there will be a 50-year-old who looks back at their earliest years and remembers how their teacher Mrs. Rizzo changed their life.

Gia Posted over a year ago

Cheryl was my son’s teacher years ago and now she is my daughter’s teacher. Although my son is in his 2nd year of college he remembers Mrs. Rizzo so fondly and told his little sister how much she was going to love having her as a teacher and he was so right! My daughter loves her personality and how amazing she decorated the room to really get the kids interested and involved. Also my daughter is so excited to be on student council and we wouldn’t have that without Mrs. Rizzo. She is so deserving of this and we appreciate how much effort she puts in everyday for all her students!

Martyna Posted over a year ago

Ms.Rizzo has always been kind and respectful to all her students,she is always ready to accept people with open arms. Not only is she a good teacher but she has made a community in the school by introducing us to “student council” Thanks to her we have helped out our school a lot. We have also helped fundraisers and organizations outside the school. All of this is thanks to her.

Sophia Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo was at 7th grade teacher in 2021, she was also my student council teacher. Mrs. Rizzo care about her students a lot and about the student council. With her help the student council got to donate $1,000 to the ‘ Water for South Sudan ‘ foundation. She also allows her students to let their creatively go into their school work and projects

Ashley Bible Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Rizzo is a caring and innovative educator with a passion for inspiring students and fellow teachers alike. Her creative teaching methods and dedication have made her a standout in the field of education. Beyond the classroom, she shares her expertise and insights through guest blogging, contributing to the global education community. With a commitment to lifelong learning and a talent for adapting to new teaching methods and technologies, Mrs. Rizzo continues to set a high standard for excellence in education and leaves a lasting impact on the lives of students.

Dolores Troy-Quinn Posted over a year ago

I’ve known Cheryl Rizzo for over three years in my work with the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, a secular, non-sectarian non-profit that works to build respect for religious differences. Cheryl and I met when she became part of Tanenbaum’s Education Department Advisory Board to implement and assess their curriculum “Religions in My Neighborhood.” Working with four colleagues from the NYC Dept. of Education, Cheryl met and implemented the Religions in My Neighborhood curriculum with her middle school students. Religion is often a powerful part of a student’s identity. Yet, in educational circles, it is often perceived as a “third rail.” Educators are hesitant to broach this topic with their students. By incorporating lessons and materials for the RIMN curriculum, Cheryl opened the door for respectful conversations between students and among the faculty. During our monthly Zoom meetings, Cheryl cited examples of students asking questions about different cultural celebrations and rituals all to better understand their classmates and their backgrounds. She found ways to highlight her students’ cultures and experiences with a “Door Decorating” contest that highlighted the various ways students celebrated their holidays. What a great way to build community! She also helped develop an updated Tanenbaum curriculum on conflict resolution called "Transforming Conflict". She definitely worked hard to "test drive" these materials in her classroom. Can you imagine a more timely curriculum during these troubled times? AS a retired NYC Department of Education principal, I have observed countless professionals. I can say with great certainty that Cheryl Rizzo is an extraordinary educator. One of the traits I so admired in her was the ability to reflect on her teaching practice and make adjustments based on her new understandings. Cheryl has offered the students a safe place to share their religions, cultures and customs. During a lesson that incorporated music, a few Moslem students were visibly uncomfortable. Since Cheryl had done the hard work of creating a caring community inside her classroom, these students shared that they should not be listening to music during Ramadan. Had Cheryl not created an environment where students felt safe and comfortable sharing their concerns, she would never have known of her students’ discomfort. It is the sign of a master teacher who can be reflective and grow in her own learning! Lucky students to be in Cheryl’s classroom! Cheryl was gracious in sharing her knowledge and equally gracious in accepting others’ feedback. She could find just as much in common with a third grade special education teacher from Queens as she could with a middle school Social Studies teacher in Manhattan. The collaboration among the Advisory Board members was awe-inspiring. Cheryl continues to be a powerful voice in this professional learning community. Her work with the Advisory Board was so outstanding that Cheryl Rizzo was the “opening act” of the video shown at the Tanenbaum Gala held last October. Hundreds in the audience were able to see Cheryl speak passionately about her students’ growth in learning about themselves and others. Cheryl also spoke poignantly about her own growth as an educator because of her association with the Tanenbaum organization. We could not have asked for a better spokesperson. Cheryl Rizzo is clearly deserving of this LifeChanger of the Year Award.