LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kristy Muffoletto was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Muffoletto is a building principal, so for her, creating a positive school environment begins with building strong relationships. She truly believes that students thrive when they feel seen, heard, and valued. That's why she makes it a priority to connect with them individually, listen to their stories, and respond with empathy.

She works to build trust and respect among colleagues and with families because when everyone feels like they belong, the entire school benefits. She also believes that consistency and clear expectations are key. Students need to know what's expected of them and trust that rules are applied fairly. She strives to create routines and use restorative approaches that promote safety, respect, and accountability without shame or punishment.

Creating an inclusive and welcoming culture is another passion of hers. Ms. Muffoletto wants every student to see their identity reflected and celebrated, both in the classroom and around campus. She tries to approach teaching in a culturally responsive way and gives students space to share their voices and experiences.

Supporting staff is just as important. A positive school for students depends on a healthy, motivated adult team. She does her best to collaborate openly, uplift others' strengths, and contribute to a culture where her staff members are growing and supporting one another.

She believes positivity is a choice and a practice. Whether it's greeting students at the door, celebrating small wins, or creating a joyful, welcoming space, she tries to be intentional about every interaction. A positive environment doesn't happen by accident; it's something she, her students, and her colleagues build together, every day.

The students regularly engage in hands-on, collaborative projects that require them to create, build, write, and present their ideas in meaningful ways. To do this successfully, they need foundational materials like copy paper, pencils, scissors, glue, markers, construction paper, butcher paper, and tape. While these may seem like simple items, they are essential to the way the students learn. Many of her students come to school full of ideas and excitement, ready to make their learning visible.

Education has always been her passion, and over the years, she has grown in ways that have allowed her to serve students, teachers, and families from multiple perspectives. She began her career as an elementary school teacher, spending ten years in the classroom. During that time, she taught a range of grade levels. She focused not just on academic achievement, but also on building strong relationships, promoting student voice, and creating a safe and joyful learning environment. Those foundational years gave her a deep understanding of what students and teachers need day to day, and why every moment matters.

Her desire to support learning beyond the walls of her classroom led her to become an Instructional Coach, where she had the opportunity to work alongside teachers, co-plan lessons, analyze data, and help implement best practices. That role challenged her to grow as a leader and deepened her appreciation for the power of collaboration, continuous learning, and instructional equity. From there, she stepped into school leadership as an Assistant Principal, and later, Principal. Each role came with new responsibilities, but her mission stayed the same: to create a school culture where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to learn.

As a principal, she's especially proud of how her team has worked together to raise expectations while strengthening relationships. She has focused on inclusive practices, data-driven instruction, and family engagement—always centering what's best for kids. This past year, she was named to the Superintendent's Honor Roll, a recognition she's received before, and one that reflects the collective effort of the fantastic staff, students, and families she works with every day. She sees it not as a personal achievement, but as a celebration of what's possible when leadership is grounded in purpose, integrity, and collaboration. Each step in her journey—from classroom teacher to Principal—has shaped her into a reflective and committed leader who believes in the power of relationships, the importance of high expectations, and the unwavering belief that every child can succeed.