LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sarah Rosenbaum was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Rosenbaum strives to create a positive and inclusive classroom environment by acknowledging and respecting the diverse backgrounds, needs, and experiences of all students, both inside and outside the classroom. Building meaningful, individual connections with each student is a priority for her. She takes the time to learn who they are and what supports they need to feel safe, valued, and ready to learn. She also intentionally brings warmth, humor, and joy into their daily routines, fostering a classroom culture that feels like a supportive and caring family.

As a classroom teacher, one of her core priorities is ensuring that her students' basic needs are met so they can come to school feeling safe, supported, and ready to learn. She is working with several students who face significant challenges outside of school, including a few who are experiencing homelessness. To help her students, she plans to provide baby wipes so they can clean up discreetly before starting their day, along with extra snacks to take home in the evenings.

Looking ahead, her goal is to establish a "care closet" within the classroom that's stocked with items such as clean socks, pants, shirts, snacks, and hygiene essentials. This would be a safe, judgment-free space where students can take what they need to feel more secure and cared for, both during school hours and beyond. She believes that when a child's basic needs are unmet, learning inevitably takes a backseat. By helping to remove some of these barriers, she can better support her students in reaching their full potential.