LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Alicia Neubert was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Neubert believes that creating a positive classroom environment begins with genuine connection. She understands that before meaningful learning can take place, students must feel safe, seen, and valued. To build this foundation, Ms. Neubert focuses on small, intentional moments, greeting each student by name at the door, asking about their weekend, and remembering the details that matter to them. These everyday gestures build trust and show students they matter.

Ms. Neubert works diligently to create a space where students feel a true sense of belonging, not just as learners, but as individuals. She makes time for conversations that go beyond academics, celebrates differences, and ensures that every student sees themselves reflected in the classroom's content and culture. Her message is clear: who you are matters here.

She also emphasizes the importance of how students treat one another. By modeling kindness, respect, and empathy, Ms. Neubert creates opportunities for students to do the same. Her classroom openly explores what it means to be a community, how words and actions impact others, and she encourages a shared responsibility to lift each other. For Ms. Neubert, when students feel genuinely connected to both their teacher and their peers, everything changes. They become more engaged, more willing to take risks, and more invested in one another's success.