LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Katy Bobzin was nominated by colleague, Megan Hartley. 

Ms. Bobzin has a long history with her school district. She worked in the school library, helping students develop their love of reading. She worked with the Early Learners, starting the youngest learners off with a love of school. In addition to all the excellent work she was already doing in her district, she returned to school herself to obtain her master's degree in education. Managing a full-time job, a full-time family, and a full class load was an extraordinary amount of work, but she inspired everyone around her by "doing it all" and still had the energy to demonstrate unparalleled patience and joy every day at school.

When class sizes changed drastically at the school two months into the school year, causing one classroom to be split into two, Ms. Bobzin was the obvious choice to step in and take on the newly created second-grade class. It is a lot of work for any teacher to start a new school year, but most teachers have the summer to prepare rooms and lessons. She had about one week to transition from graduate student to full-fledged classroom teacher, having to furnish an entire classroom and learn the routines and curriculums this new class had well underway.

"I have the immense fortune of being next door to her classroom, so I see her interacting with her students daily," said Hartley.

Ms. Bobzin is consistently caring and patient. She works hard to deliver engaging and memorable lessons. She looks for ways to make every student feel seen, understood, supported, and loved daily. When things don't go according to plan, she has a great sense of humor.

Hartley added, "Her positive attitude makes me smile every day. Our district is so lucky to have her on our team."