LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Danett Setmire was nominated anonymously.

In an elementary art room with a positive environment, it's normal to have clear rules, structured routines, and organized materials. Students are expected to follow directions, be respectful, and complete their work. To create an exceptional environment, Ms. Setmire goes beyond the basics by celebrating creativity over perfection, encouraging risk-taking, and making space for student voices. She builds relationships by greeting each child by name and displaying their work with pride. She offers choices in materials or projects to spark ownership and joy, and she creates a calming, welcoming space that inspires imagination. When students feel seen, safe, and excited to make, the art room becomes a place where they truly thrive.

Ms. Setmire recently completed a graduate course through The Art of Education University that focused on innovation through the design process, which sparked her interest in creating a makerspace for her students. This space is designed to encourage hands-on, creative exploration, allowing students to experiment, build, and solve problems in meaningful ways. She's already begun gathering materials like LEGOs, beads, pipe cleaners, and wooden blocks, and she's seen how engaging and beneficial this environment can be. She is now hoping to expand the makerspace with child-safe cardboard cutting tools and adhesives, so students can further explore design and construction with versatile materials like cardboard.

Her career accomplishments include the NWOEA Promising Leader Award and Teacher of the Year.