LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Patricia Kuhn-Morgan was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Kuhn-Morgan has been in education for 25 years. She welcomes all students every day, even if the previous day was not a good one. She treats students with respect and kindness. When students struggle to do so with each other, the offending student(s) are required to debrief and discuss how the action was unkind and ways to address the situation differently in the future.

In Ms. Kuhn-Morgan's classroom, mistakes are okay and encouraged. Students often have a voice and choice in their learning. The atmosphere of the room is welcoming and soothing. Adults enjoy coming to the room, as well!

Many students in this region qualify for free lunch due to the amount of rural poverty. Most do not have appropriate school supplies. They are preparing for vocational careers that will improve their situations upon graduation. Still, the district (and teachers) provides many of their needs, such as uniforms, boots, tools, testing fees, etc. Because of this type of need, Ms. Kuhn-Morgan purchases most of her students' school supplies.

Career Accomplishments:

• Part of a leadership group at Pickerington Ridgeview Junior High School that led an initiative to gain designation as a STEM school.
• Ohio Department of Education (DOE) SS Regional Content Facilitator.
• Ohio DOE SS Resource Review Group & Regional Network Leader.
• Teacher Mentor.
• Certified Google Educator.
• Apple Teacher.
• Created a program at the Seneca County Youth Center in which adjudicated youth received credits from their school of residence.