LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Andrea Mather was nominated by a student.

Mrs. Mather is kind, understanding, and funny. She is always willing to help her students and makes learning Spanish engaging and fun.

"I have the routine of getting to school at 6:40 am. Classes don't commence until 7:20 am, meaning I'm usually 40 minutes early. That might seem wild for an average person–extensive even. In contrast, I savor it. I truly adore the conversations Mrs. Mather and I have. Mrs. Mather enters through the side doors on the north side of the school. She hustles to the door with a thick tote bag slung over her shoulder, a mug of aromatic coffee in one hand, and a bundle of keys in the other. I flash a soft smile, perking my head up as I hear the routine pitter-patter of her black flats. As she reaches the door, we exchange the carbon-copy greeting we did every other day. A simple 'Hola!' or 'Good morning!' on her part, 'Morning!' or 'Hello!' on mine. She sets the mug down on the windowsill and fiddles with her keys. While she's filing through each key, I swing my backpack over my shoulder and step back. The door sways open, and she waves me in. I give a 'Thank you!' each time without failure. I slide into my seat, pulling my binder, pencil case, and sketchbook from my backpack. She flickers the lights on and saunters to her desk. I begin sketching or rushing to complete the homework I forgot to do the night prior. She never judges my forgetfulness or tendency to procrastinate until the last minute. Although unsaid, it feels like she understands, like she's been there," said the student.