LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Rayen Elmergreen was nominated by a student.

"I had enrolled in English 9 Honors at Arrowhead Union High School. I chose a random seat at the front and waited for class to start. The bell rang, and a teacher walked in. A woman dressed in vintage clothes with curled hair – which took me by surprise since I normally saw teachers in blazers and their hair pulled back really tightly in a bun – and a smile that lit up the entire room. It only took me about 40 minutes into the Block hours to quickly learn that this would be my favorite class," said the student.

"My English teacher's name was Mrs. Elmergreen, and she was, by far, the brightest and most dedicated teacher I had ever had. She always had a way to make her lessons intriguing and fun. But something I will never forget about her was that she cared deeply about her students. I remember numerous times when my anxiety was taking over me, and I would hyperventilate and cry in class about an essay I had to write, and no ideas were coming into my mind. I would listen to the computers clacking, knowing everyone already knew what they were doing while I sat in a corner," said the student. 

"A note from Mrs. Elmergreen pressed to the table or her coming down to my level to talk to me was all it would take to shut the voices off. 'If you need a break, just let me know.' I would get up from my desk, and one look from her, and she knew. I would go into the backroom in her classroom and manage to finish my work in time for the bell. I would say 'Thank you' to her at the end of class, and she would smile and nod. She was never judgmental or hateful; just cared with her whole heart," said the student.

"Her encouraging words and kind voice taught me always to be kind to myself and encourage myself to get past all the voices and walk through life," said the student. "I had her again as my English teacher for my sophomore year. On the last day of school, before moving on to my junior year, I got up from my desk and asked if it was alright to hug her since this would be the last time I would have her as my teacher. She got up from her desk and wrapped her arms around me. She will never know how much that hug meant to me."

"Thank you, Mrs. Elmergreen; you are forever in my heart and mind as the teacher who taught me courage and kindness to oneself is more powerful than any force on this planet," said the student.