LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Alicia Luna was nominated by her spouse, Elizur Luna.

"As an educator, it is evident that Alicia has a passion for teaching and a genuine love for her job. Her enthusiasm and cheerful disposition create a positive atmosphere for her students and herself. It is heartwarming to hear that she enjoys seeing her students' creativity and that they often stop by to say hello and express how much they miss being in her class," said Elizur.

"Her dedication to her profession extends beyond the classroom. It is commendable that she actively engages with other teachers to ensure their well-being. This collaborative approach fosters a supportive community among educators, which ultimately benefits the students as well," said Elizur. "Her willingness to embrace new ideas and strategies for the betterment of her students and the community is truly admirable. By being a go-getter and constantly seeking improvement, she demonstrates a growth mindset that inspires her students to do the same."

"The fact that former students return to visit and express how much they miss being in her class is a testament to her positive impact on their lives. It is gratifying to see that her efforts as an educator leave a lasting impression and that she continues to be a source of inspiration even after her students have graduated," said Elizur.

"Overall, her dedication, enthusiasm, and commitment to fostering a positive learning environment are genuinely inspiring. Her love for teaching shines through, and it is evident that she has significantly impacted the lives of her students. Estoy orgulloso de mi esposa," said Elizur.

"As a leader and role model both inside and outside the classroom, she teaches through example by directly involving herself in committees and initiatives that support her students, teachers, and community. As a Model Teacher for Teacher Career Pathways (TCP), she actively leads adult learning through her laboratory classroom," said Elizur. "She encourages her colleagues to reflect and explore innovative teaching techniques by welcoming them into her lab classroom environment to serve and learn."

"Outside the classroom, her involvement extends to the Measures of Student Learning (MOSL) committee, where she actively contributes her experiences and perspectives on student learning measures that impact teacher evaluations. As a Professional Development Teacher Trainer for CS4ALL, she shares my knowledge to help expand computer science teaching in different districts."

"Moreover, as a NYC mentor, she guided and supported teachers in their first year of public school teaching, fostering their professional growth and learning. With the intention of more collaborative school cultures, she partakes in the school leadership team (SLT), developing educational policies to ensure resources are available to enable those policies."

"As a DonorsChoose Teacher Ambassador, she mentors new teachers to create successful classroom projects and raise funds. Her role as a TeachersPayTeachers Content Creator has allowed her to share her teacher-created resources with other educators around the globe," said Elizur. "Lastly, as part of the Instructional Leadership Team (ILT), she engages in progressive discussions on improving school practices based on the Instructional Leadership Framework."

"In all these roles, she embodies the ethos of a "lead-learner," promoting critical reflection on local instructional practices and advancing effectiveness for diverse groups of students, thereby teaching through example," said Elizur.