LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sean Reilly was nominated by a colleague, Shalen King.

Mr. Reilly is an outstanding individual who is pivotal in holding his team together. As a relatively new administrator, he has a remarkable ability to work with staff, making them feel valued, heard, and understood. Mr. Reilly connects with staff members as people, not just employees within the building. Mr. Reilly is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the students he and his team serve. He goes above and beyond to ensure students are familiar with him and understand his role. Mr. Reilly builds positive relationships with both students and families.

"I was a building principal in a small district outside Battle Creek for six years. I loved my role but knew I was missing the connection with students and staff. When I discovered that I was a chosen candidate for a position at Purdy Elementary, I knew I could not turn it down," said King. "From my first interaction with Sean, I knew that a wealth of knowledge without judgment was coming my way. He did a fantastic job of coming into classrooms to show that he supports us daily. He was more than willing to help with PBIS lessons and routines."

Even though Mr. Reilly is early in his administrative journey, he has already made a significant impact and demonstrated why he's a LifeChanger.

"After moving back into a classroom position after a leadership role, I found that Mr. Reilly excelled in building relationships and supporting the staff in various ways to ensure everything got done. With seven new teachers out of a team of eleven, Mr. Reilly has found ways to address the needs of every individual," said King. "Without support, encouragement, and a space to share both celebrations and challenges, the work would be challenging. Mr. Reilly helps bring out the best in his staff, always putting the students first."