LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Briana Sailing was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Sailing's classroom environment starts with building relationships. Students in her community have difficulty trusting adults based on their traumatic life experiences. This often creates behavior challenges, but if you start with building positive relationships like she does, students learn what love feels like.

It begins with making a space where students feel emotionally and physically safe. Clear expectations, consistent routines, and mutual respect help students feel secure and know what to expect. She does a lot of team-building activities within her everyday curriculum, where she and her students celebrate active participation and kindness. When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they're more likely to engage, take risks, and thrive academically and socially.

One of the most significant needs in her classroom is addressing students' basic health needs. Appropriate clothing for the weather, hygiene products, healthy snacks, and enough sleep are just a few things that her students need.

Career Accomplishments:

• Teacher of the Month x3
• Sunshine Award
• Above & Beyond Award