Jessy DeFrancisco
Position: Elementary School Teacher
School: Park View Elementary School
School District: Mooresville Graded School District
City, State: Mooresville, NC
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Jessy DeFrancisco was nominated anonymously.
Ms. DeFrancisco creates a positive classroom environment by setting clear expectations, offering consistent encouragement, and intentionally integrating social-emotional learning into daily routines. She believes that when students feel a true sense of belonging, they become more willing to take academic risks, support one another, and grow as learners and individuals. Through her thoughtful approach to behavior guidance and community building, Ms. DeFrancisco fosters a classroom where students feel safe, seen, and empowered. Her focus on connection and emotional well-being lays the foundation for a supportive and thriving learning space.
Could not think of a more deserving human. Ms. DeFrancisco shows up, loves big, and makes such a lasting impact on everyone around her. This nomination makes my heart so happy—cheering you on always! Your inclusive teaching practices, commitment to going above and beyond, dedication to the yearbook staff, and the mentorship you provide to others truly make a lasting impact. You lead with intention, compassion, and excellence, and this recognition reflects the difference you make every day. Congratulations on such a meaningful honor!
I am honored to nominate Ms. Jessy DeFrancisco for LifeChanger of the Year. She exemplifies dedication, compassion, and innovation in her role as a classroom teacher. She went above and beyond by teaching all of her students American Sign Language to ensure that her deaf student felt fully included in the classroom community. In doing so, she not only broke down communication barriers but also instilled empathy and understanding in her students.
Her impact goes far beyond academics. She has had students come in dreading school. Through her encouragement, patience, and genuine care, she transformed their outlook, helping them end the year loving school and believing in themselves. She takes the time to learn the individual needs of each child and works tirelessly to help them achieve their fullest potential.
Her dedication does not stop when the school year ends. She also works with the summer Y Reader’s program through the YMCA to strengthen students’ reading skills and levels, ensuring that children continue to grow and succeed year-round.
Her commitment extends to her colleagues as well. She is always ready to support, collaborate, and lend a helping hand whenever needed. Her positivity uplifts both staff and students, creating a welcoming environment for all. Known for her strong work ethic, she is often the first one to arrive at school and the last to leave, ensuring that everything she does contributes to her students’ success.
Ms. DeFrancisco is more than just a teacher—she is a true LifeChanger who makes a lasting impact on every student and colleague she encounters.
Ms. DeFrancisco is the best teacher I've ever worked with. I'm an ASL interpreter who had the privilege of working in her classroom when she was assigned a Deaf student last year. I think I have a pretty unique perspective of her as a teacher since I got to spend every hour of the school day in her classroom this past school year.
When she learned that she was getting a Deaf student, Ms. DeFrancisco ordered a slew of accessible resources for her classroom to help the student feel included, she looked into ASL classes online, and made sure she knew how to best support him in her class. When I entered her classroom for the first time, I was shocked at how much she had done. There was the ASL alphabet posted on the walls, letterboards with ASL hand shapes, every student's desk had a nameplate with ASL on it (not just the Deaf student's), and countless other things. She also modified her daily schedule to include a 15-minute ASL lesson for the whole class. She used flashcards to teach them all different signs in order to be able to communicate with their deaf classmate.
I've worked in tons of classrooms of all grades and, believe me when I say, this never happens. No other teacher I've worked with has ever put in this much time and effort to accommodate a deaf student. Or any student really, deaf or not. She had another student with hearing loss before that she had to wear a microphone on her shirt for. She never once complained and remembered to put it on every single morning. She also had a student who struggled with emotional regulation and she had their comfort song ready to play through her speaker at a moment's notice. And another student of hers struggled to stay in one spot, but she knew that it didn't matter where they sat as long as they were learning. She does anything and everything to accommodate her students.
Ms. DeFrancisco is truly my favorite teacher I've ever worked with. If I could be in any one classroom for the rest of my career, I would choose hers in a heartbeat. Nobody else has as much motivation, passion, and true love of teaching as her. She's a 'one in a million' kind of teacher.
Stalwart and student-centered, Jessy builds clear routines that let students take ownership of their learning. When I pushed into her classroom, she welcomed me as a partner and mentored me in math with the utmost respect. Her leadership, professionalism, and integrity elevate our school’s culture and pride every day. I’m proud to support her for the LifeChanger of the Year Award.
I've had the privilege of knowing Ms. DeFrancisco for the past four years, and she has truly been a life changer. Her passion for teaching goes far beyond the classroom. She genuinely cares about each and every student, always going the extra mile to support them both academically and personally creating innovative strategies that make learning enjoyable, engaging, and meaningful. She believes in her students, and because of that, they believe in themselves. She is everything a life-changing teacher should be.
Ms. DeFrancisco is a life changer in so many ways! Her dedication to her students and school are extraordinary. She gets to know every student and develops strong relationships with them and their caregivers. She even supports them outside of school, cheering them on at their sporting event or special day. Ms. DeFrancisco also is an amazing team player. She’s always there at a moment’s notice to help or support her school family. Ms. DeFrancisco deserves to officially be honored with a Life Changer of the Year award!
Ms. DeFrancisco consistently goes above and beyond—whether inspiring students through innovative lessons, offering mentorship, or creating inclusive pathways for learning. Her leadership helps uplift not just academic performance but also students’ confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging.
Ms. DeFrancisco is the epitome of a "Life Changer". She is a wonderful educator, but even more important, she is a community builder and a student advocate. She creates a welcoming environment for all students. Her classroom is a safe haven for students of all ability levels and one in which the students love to enter each day. There are students who entered her room at one point in time that hated coming to school, and by the end of the year, they were sad they wouldn't be entering her room again the next year. Students and staff alike are fortunate to work with "DeFran"!
Ms. DeFrancisco consistently goes above and beyond—whether inspiring students through innovative lessons, offering mentorship, or creating inclusive pathways for learning. Her leadership helps uplift not just academic performance but also students’ confidence, resilience, and sense of belonging.
I don't know of a harder working teacher than Ms. DeFrancisco. She is always the first to arrive and the last to leave. She is a true team player who will do anything to support her colleagues. She truly cares about her students and wants to see them all succeed!
Ms. DeFransicso is an amazing teacher who goes above and beyond for all of her students. She has always made her classroom feel warm and welcoming, and I don’t think anyone deserves this more than her.
I have been blessed to have the opportunity to work closely with Ms. DeFrancisco for over 6 years now. She is an amazing teacher who works diligently to meet the individual needs of each of her students on a daily basis. She strives to make connections with her students. She is often seen also showing them support outside of school while attending their ballgames or other activities that they are involved in.
She has been elected as both Beginning Teacher of the Year and Teacher of the Year at our school since beginning her teaching career. Ms. DeFrancisco would be an excellent choice for the LifeChanger of the Year award!
My son had Ms. DeFrancisco for first grade. She went above and beyond for him. He struggles with self regulating his emotions once frustrated. She was patient, understanding, kind and accommodating. Her previous background and experience with neurodivergent children made her a wonderful fit. She takes time outside of school hours to be there for her students if needed. She is a student and staff favorite. She won teacher of the year this past school year and rightfully so. Our family loves Ms. DeFrancisco and will always be grateful for everything she did to help our son have a successful year! I would love to see her add Life Changer of the Year to her accolades.
I’m not sure I’ve ever met a teacher who works harder or cares about her students more.
Ms.”Defran” is an amazing teacher and colleague! Her students absolutely adore her and she is the “go to teacher” when someone needs advice with curriculum or behavior challenges. She is a priceless asset to have in Park View and our Mooresville, NC community!
Her students are lucky to have a teacher who makes them feel safe, seen, and loved while pushing them to grow. She’s so deserving of this honor!
