LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Susan Leblond was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Leblond creates a positive classroom environment by being intentional about building relationships with her students and making sure they feel valued as individuals. At the beginning of the school year, she focuses on getting to know each student—learning their names, interests, and personalities—which helps establish trust and a sense of belonging. Throughout the year, she continues to connect with them by sharing stories and photos from her own life, including funny moments with her three cats, her cars, and stories of her family. These small, personal touches open the door to authentic conversations and help students feel more comfortable and connected in class.

She also makes an extra effort to support students individually. For example, she offers 1:1 testing opportunities when a student needs to complete an assessment verbally, and she regularly dedicates 4–6 hours per week after school to provide additional math help. These supports allow students to feel seen, capable, and confident in their learning.

In terms of the physical space, she works to foster a warm and welcoming atmosphere, even within the constraints of a limited budget. While she can't always transform the classroom as much as she'd like, she enhances the environment with small, thoughtful touches like posters and tapestries. She believes that consistent, respectful interactions and a strong sense of community matter most, but the way a classroom feels physically can help reinforce that shared purpose. By showing students that she genuinely cares about them and their success, she creates a learning environment where they feel safe, motivated, and supported.

Teaching is Ms. Leblond's second career. She started college when she was 35, and she's been in the classroom for only six years. She is certified to teach both history and math in middle and high school. She is pursuing a Master's degree in instructional technology. She supports her colleagues with technology, and she's the building representative for her school's learning management system.