LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Melissa Kirby was nominated by multiple students.

"My first Kettle Moraine high school class was biology with Mrs. Kirby. I walked in, ready to be bored out of my mind like all the science classes in the movies I've seen. I had never been a big fan of science and was annoyed when I saw it was mandatory for freshmen. When I walked into class, I realized I had no friends in my class; since I am at one of the charter schools at Kettle Moraine High (Global), I didn't have any classes with my friends who went to the regular high school (Legacy). Even though I had no friends in my class, Mrs. Kriby never made me feel lonely or lost," said the student.

"After the first term had ended, I looked forward to her class every other day. I learned to respect Mrs. Kirby because of her experience teaching rowdy students in mandatory classes that are not always the most interesting. However, I found myself excelling in the class and enjoying everything Mrs. Kirby had taught us. She often told us, 'Right above the door when you walk in is the chemical compound for dopamine, so when you walk in or look at it, remember to be happy.' This quote accurately represents Mrs. Kirby's attitude towards everything, as she was always building up her students' confidence. My relationship with Mrs. Kirby flourished during my sophomore year," said the student.

"Although I did not have any more classes with her, I still found her to talk about my day during the school day. Then, during the third term, when our charter signed up for seminars (term-long classes), I signed up for her seminar without even reading what it was about. During those seminars, I saw Mrs. Kirby become more comfortable with us. I did a seminar on lie detectors, and another about oil spills. She was passionate and joyful all the time, which I didn't see as much as a freshman, but being around her made me happier. We had to complete our semester-long research project (Inquiry) during that second semester. I decided I wanted to research what careers interested me. During that inquiry, Mrs. Kriby had been supportive and worked with me daily to find what careers interested me. I landed on the Biology field, in which Mrs. Kirby had helped me find someone to talk to at the Medical College of Wisconsin," said the student.

"Going into my junior year, Mrs. Kirby and I discussed colleges and what I would major in. I found her approachable, and she helped me work through all majors. I had decided to major in molecular biology, and she couldn't have been more excited and supportive (and yes, she had a part to play in my choosing). During my second semester in junior year, I took the biomedical innovation class with Mrs. Kirby, and it is one of the most fun classes I have had; I look forward to it every day. Whether we're doing lab work, going on field trips, or meeting people I would never have talked to before, I find myself enjoying that class. And I am very excited to have her again next year for human body systems. Mrs. Kirby has not only been one of the most impactful teachers in my life but has also been a teacher I find myself talking about all the time when I go home after school," said the student.