LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Amy Coraggio was nominated by a student. 

"Unsure, scared, insecure. These three emotions nagged my head when I entered Mrs. Coraggio's AP Spanish class during my junior year at Arrowhead Union High School. I was in a class full of genius seniors, and all I could think about was embarrassing myself," said the student. "Little did I know this class would be where I'd gain the confidence I lacked."

"Mrs. Coraggio initially impacted me during the first week of Spanish. It was my first time having her as my teacher, yet she instantly made me feel like I had known her my whole high school career. 'Hola Jack, ¿cómo estás?',” said the student. "I'll never forget the way she said it. She welcomed me with a warm heart into her class that felt like home.

"It took me one week to open up to her. Previously, I had never opened up to any of my teachers as I never had a strong connection with them. But there was something different about Mrs. Coraggio. I told her how nervous I was about messing up. How I didn't want to say something wrong because it scared me," said the student.

"She looked at me softly and said, 'Bud, you can do it. Don't be afraid to make mistakes—even I do!' That small affirmation changed how I walked into her class," said the student.

"For the rest of the year, I walked into her class with my chest up, ready for what the day would bring. With Mrs. Coraggio right by my side—as if she were a mother looking after a newborn—she made me feel safe, confident, and smart. She wasn't just a teacher who cared about me; she was like a coach, pushing me while at the same time making me love Spanish more," said the student.

"It was from her that I gained my love for Spanish, so much so that I began listening to Spanish music to grow my cultural awareness. It got to the point where I recognized the songs she played as I walked into her class."

"It always amazed me how much she cared about us as students when she had her own kids. Being a mom of multiple kids and still always being there for students is so hard and something I admire about her. It doesn't matter if her daughter is going through the days before her graduation, one of the most important days for a family, Mrs. Coraggio was still there whenever I needed her," said the student.

"Mrs. Coraggio doesn't realize how much she's impacted me. Her class is why I want to pursue Spanish in college and have it be a part of my future. I wouldn't be where I am today without Mrs. Coraggio. She has not only helped me gain confidence in speaking Spanish, she's helped me gain confidence in myself," said the student.

"So to Mrs. Coraggio, gracias for all you have done for me and for being someone I will never forget," said the student.