LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jordan Hernandez was nominated by Darlene Cecere-Freidin, the parent of a student.

Mr. Hernandez has the ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students, not only at his own school, but across the country. When Mr. Hernandez started teaching years ago, he saw the difficulty that students had in transitioning to high school, whether it was that they were new to the school and did not know anyone, or that they were new to the country with language barriers, or that they were socially awkward. Because of his kind heart and caring soul, Mr. H sponsored the “We Dine Together”club.

We Dine Together is a student-run club intended to help students make new friends and socialize during lunchtime, so no student will ever have to eat lunch alone. Mr. Hernandez even went as far as learning how to say “hello” in every language that the foreign students who attended spoke, so he could graciously welcome them and make them feel at home.

"This club has been a saving grace for my son, Daniel, who has ASD. Mr. H, ( as my son refers to him), has changed my son’s life so significantly," said Cecere-Freidin. "My son sat and ate alone for weeks at lunchtime when he first started BRCHS, and it broke my heart. Then he met Mr. Hernandez. Mr. H wasn’t even one of his teachers, but he took him under his wing, nurtured him and introduced him to the We Dine Together club.  He was a true Godsend for my son. Today, my son loves school and feels welcomed and socially comfortable with other students. He has made many friends and always has someone to sit with at lunch, and he now makes sure no other students eat alone."

This club has since been introduced to a multitude of schools throughout the country, and was even recognized worldwide and depicted in the “Unsung Hero Commercial” sponsored by Mass Mutual that aired during the Super Bowl, The Winter Olympics, movie theaters across the country, and on TV.  We Dine Together has touched and changed the lives of thousands of students.

Mr. Hernandez also hosts the SWAT club, which stands for “Students Working Against Tobacco." He not only cares about the students' social and mental well-being, but their physical well-being. He strives to bring awareness to students about the dangers of tobacco and other hazards that are out there. 

And it doesn’t stop there for Mr. Hernandez. He also hosts “The Comedy Club," because he feels that laughter is food for the soul. A profound quote of his own is “Make  them laugh, and while their mouth‘s are open, feed them the truth.” 

Truth is at the top of the list for Mr. Hernandez, for he adheres to the highest moral and ethical standards. He walks the righteous walk with grace, dignity and compassion. He leads by example, and the students follow. Mr. Hernandez is also an advocate in the community for mental health awareness in the school system. 

Mr.  Hernandez has been recognized for his excellence in his administrative and academic skills in his classes. He teaches English, Aice General Paper and Aice Language.  He nurtures his students with wisdom and sets them up to succeed, not only in High School, but in life.  

"The number of students that Mr. Hernandez has touched and changed is immeasurable.  He will forever be instrumental in the goodwill of their lives, even after they finish high school," said Cecere-Freidin. "This is an incredible person, teacher, and leader, and for the multitude of reasons I have shared, he is a LifeChanger in our community!"