LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Natasha Mack was nominated anonymously.

As a fifth-grade science teacher, Ms. Mack strives to create a welcoming classroom where students feel excited to learn. She believes that every student is a budding scientist, and she encourages them to ask questions and explore the world around them. In her classroom, mistakes are not seen as failures, but as chances to learn and grow.

Ms. Mack uses fun, hands-on experiments and real-life examples to keep her students interested and involved in their learning. She also emphasizes teamwork and open discussions among students to help them express their thoughts. Building strong relationships is a key part of her approach; she greets her students warmly every day, listens to their ideas, and makes sure everyone feels safe and respected. This supportive atmosphere helps students feel confident in sharing their thoughts and trying new things.

Ms. Mack organized and led an engaging Science Night for families, which attracted over 75 participants and received recognition from the entire school. She also introduced a hands-on science program that helped improve students' science test scores by 22% in just one school year. Additionally, Ms. Mack has supported new science teachers by guiding them and creating helpful online resources for lesson planning and setting up experiments. She was honored to place third for "Teacher of the Year" at her school for her efforts in creating fun and interactive science experiences for students.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Mack mentors the student council and the "Girls on the Run" program.