LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sarah Cooper was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Cooper creates a positive classroom environment where bad chemistry jokes are told frequently, where mistakes are encouraged and celebrated as a way of learning. She tries to make sure the quiet students and those who don't seem to participate know that she sees them and recognizes them. She teaches 3D printing and runs an after-school 3D printing club, so she has fun fidgets and stickers for students when they're celebrating, or when they seem to have a bad day. Stickers make life better for everyone. Whoever thought that high school students would be excited about stickers?

Her greatest needs are 3D printing supplies to keep the club and research program going. The club is self-funded, which means students generate the funds to purchase the filament and to maintain the printers. But students don't just print for themselves. They also randomly select teachers for random acts of kindness and send goodie bags full of 3D prints for teachers to give to their students. She never suggested this idea to them. This is all from them, and she gets so excited when she hears from teachers about how students love the 3D prints. In some cases, it motivates students to do their best, because who doesn't want their own pocket dinosaur or robot?

Career Accomplishments:

• Heart of Education Winner
• Army Education Outreach Program
• Mentor of the Year.