LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lindsay Kelshaw was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Kelshaw believes that students learn best when they feel safe, respected, and empowered to take academic risks. She intentionally fosters this environment by building strong relationships, setting clear expectations, and celebrating individual strengths and diversity. From the very first day of class, she prioritizes trust and rapport by learning each student’s name, background, and interests. Her inclusive routines promote respect, kindness, and collaboration, while her consistent procedures create a structured, predictable space where students feel secure.

She encourages student voice and choice whenever possible, inviting them to contribute ideas, select project topics, and engage in meaningful discussions. Positive reinforcement and a focus on a growth mindset help her students see mistakes as valuable learning opportunities, and her classroom celebrates effort and improvement as much as achievement. She regularly reflects on her practice, adapting based on student feedback, to ensure all learners feel valued, supported, and inspired to reach their full potential.

As a first-grade teacher, Ms. Kelshaw strives to meet students at varying levels of reading and mathematical understanding through differentiated, hands-on instruction. Guided reading materials and early chapter books help her match texts to students’ abilities and interests, promoting independent reading and a love of literature from an early age. Math manipulatives, such as base ten blocks, counters, ten frames, math games, and visual models, are also essential for helping young learners grasp foundational concepts through concrete, engaging experiences.

She is a two-time Teacher of the Year (2023 and 2024) and is trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach, equipping her to provide exceptional, individualized instruction for all her students.