LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Joan Gomez was nominated anonymously.

Adolescents are very sensitive and require a different approach. Ms. Gomez makes students feel included by using icebreakers that highlight what they have in common, asking them to tell strangers about what makes them different or unique. They will focus on those characteristics later, after they have established a fun, safe environment and maybe even a few new friends.

Teaching is Ms. Gomez's third career. Prior to public education, she worked as a job developer for people with learning disabilities and a career services advisor for adults in vocational rehabilitation.