LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Alicia Obermann was nominated by an anonymous student.

This academic year marks the student's second experience with Ms. Obermann at Arrowhead High School. The student previously took trigonometry and pre-calculus and is now enrolled in Calculus AB. However, the memory of their sophomore year math class remains vivid and impactful.

Reflecting on a challenging day during sophomore year, the student recalled feeling disoriented and unprepared for a math quiz. "I felt pretty good going into it until I sat at my desk," the student recounted. "Staring at the quiz, I was lost. My brain was empty—not a single thought came to it about how to do what I was staring down at."

The confusion persisted beyond the bell, catching Ms. Obermann's attention. Sensing the student's distress, she approached with concern and initiated a conversation about their well-being.

"I don't know how often she has let someone retake a quiz, but I think that after conversing with me, she understood and felt compassion," the student remarked.

Ms. Obermann's empathy led to granting the opportunity for a quiz retake, enabling the student to demonstrate their proper understanding of the material.

The student admires Ms. Obermann's character, noting, "She is one of the most honest people you will ever meet and will always give it to you straight, no matter what. She always looks out for kids and wants to put them in a situation to succeed."

Transitioning to choosing future math courses, the student sought Ms. Obermann's guidance. "After her sophomore year math class, I was at a crossroads, unsure what math class to take next," the student recalled.

In a pivotal conversation, Ms. Obermann recommended a path toward Calculus AB rather than the more advanced Calculus BC, citing the student's best interests. Ms. Obermann shared during that conversation, "I'm shadowing the calculus teacher next year, and you could have me again for math your senior year," which decisively influenced the student's choice.

"With those words, I made my decision," the student affirmed. Trusting Ms. Obermann's insights and intentions, the student enrolled in Calculus AB, a choice that proved to be profoundly beneficial.

Despite the challenges of calculus, Ms. Obermann's teaching style and rapport with students transforms the experience.

"Calculus is by no means a delightful class, but Ms. Obermann finds a way to make me look forward to it every day," the student remarked. Ms. Obermann's unique approach, characterized by humor and a balance between fun and learning, enhances the classroom atmosphere.

Reflecting on their high school journey, the student credits Obermann for facilitating pivotal decisions and fostering academic growth.

"Looking back throughout my high school career, I had to make many decisions over the years, but choosing that math class may have been the best choice, thanks to Ms. Obermann."