Tricia Hannahs was nominated anonymously.
As an educator, Ms. Hannahs is intentional about creating a classroom environment where every student feels safe, valued, and empowered to learn. She establishes clear expectations and consistent routines that promote responsibility, kindness, and mutual respect. She prioritizes building strong relationships with her students by greeting them daily, incorporating social-emotional check-ins, and celebrating their strengths and growth.
Her classroom is a welcoming space that reflects student work, supports diverse learning needs, and fosters a sense of belonging for all learners. Through interactive lessons, student voice and choice, and culturally responsive materials, she strives to nurture curiosity, confidence, and a love of learning in every child.
One of her proudest career accomplishments was being selected by her principal to teach a model phonics lesson based on the Science of Reading for Governor Mike DeWine and members of the state education team on April 14, 2023. This opportunity was a true honor and a reflection of her commitment to evidence-based instruction and early literacy. The lesson demonstrated how structured, systematic phonics aligned with the Science of Reading can be effectively implemented in a first-grade classroom to build strong foundational skills for all learners. Being trusted to represent her school and showcase high-quality instruction at the state level affirmed the impact of her teaching practice and deepened her passion for ensuring every child becomes a confident, capable reader.
The LifeChanger of the Year Award, honors educators who exemplify excellence, positive influence, and unwavering commitment to students and community. Tricia Hannahs embodies each of these attributes at the highest level.
Ms. Hannahs is an educator whose practice reflects both precision and heart. Her classroom is intentionally designed as a safe, structured, and affirming learning environment where every student is known, valued, and challenged. Clear expectations and consistent routines provide stability. Purposeful relationship-building, including daily greetings and social-emotional check-ins, ensures that students feel seen before they are asked to perform. Student work fills the walls not as decoration, but as evidence of growth, ownership, and pride. Diverse learning needs are anticipated and supported through differentiated instruction and culturally responsive materials. In her classroom, belonging is not aspirational rhetoric. It is operational reality.
Instructionally, Ms. Hannahs demonstrates a deep command of evidence-based literacy practices. Her commitment to the Science of Reading is not theoretical; it is embedded in daily instruction. Through structured, systematic phonics and explicit foundational skills development, she equips first-grade learners with the tools necessary to become confident, capable readers. Lessons are interactive and cognitively engaging. Student voice and choice are integrated strategically, ensuring high engagement without sacrificing instructional rigor. The result is a classroom culture where curiosity flourishes and academic confidence grows measurably over time.
In 2023, Ms. Hannahs was selected by her principal to teach a model phonics lesson aligned to the Science of Reading for Ohio Governor DeWine and members of the state education leadership team. That selection was neither ceremonial nor accidental. It reflected professional trust, instructional excellence, and consistent results. Representing her school and demonstrating high-quality early literacy instruction at the state level required clarity of practice, composure, and authentic student engagement. The lesson showcased how systematic phonics instruction can be implemented with fidelity in a first-grade classroom while maintaining warmth, responsiveness, and high expectations. It was a moment of professional distinction that affirmed what colleagues and families already knew: Ms. Hannahs delivers impact.
Beyond individual lessons, her influence extends into the broader school culture. She models professionalism, collaboration, and instructional integrity for colleagues. She embraces accountability while maintaining optimism. She balances high standards with deep care. In an era where educational narratives often focus on deficits, Ms. Hannahs exemplifies possibility. Her work demonstrates that when strong relationships are paired with research-aligned instruction, student outcomes improve and confidence expands.
The LifeChanger of the Year Award recognizes educators who make a profound difference in the lives of students and the fabric of their communities. Tricia Hannahs does precisely that each day. Her leadership within the classroom, her representation of excellence at the state level, and her unwavering commitment to ensuring every child becomes a reader make her exceptionally deserving of this national recognition.
It is a privilege to offer full and enthusiastic endorsement of Tricia Hannahs for the LifeChanger of the Year Award.
Tricia is a great teacher. Her classroom is a wonderful learning environment for students. It's colorful, welcoming,
organized, functional and accessible, to foster independent and successful learners. She makes everyone feel special and accepted.
Because of Ms. Hannahs, students feel seen, valued, and capable of greatness. She is an amazing person!
She’s amazing teacher and human.
Tricia is a wonderful educator who truly goes above and beyond for her students and our school community at large! She has jumpstarted and organized fundraisers to support the true needs in our community. She makes every student in her classroom feel comfortable and safe. She is an exceptional colleague who I feel lucky to work with!
Ms. Hannahs has a personality that you cannot resist especially when it comes to her scholars. She greets them with a smile daily and provides a positive and engaging learning environment for her scholars to be successful. Ms. Hannahs truly loves being an educator and you can see in the scholars' achievements throughout the year. She is truly a life changer.
Tricia is a wonderful teacher! She is so fun to work with and is so helpful. Her students truly love her and feel safe with her.
Ms. Hannahs gives her all to make sure the students in her class get every advantage they can receive to further their education. From books for home to snacks to encourage students with full bellies, she goes all out. Her students feel the welcoming love around them.
Tricia is a wonderful teacher. She pours her heart and soul into everything she does!
Ms. Hannahs is truly a life changer. As the principal of Fulton Elementary School, it is my honor to work in collaboration with Ms.Hannahs. Each day, she creates a nurturing and engaging classroom where her scholars feel safe, valued and inspired to do their very best. As a very diverse building with five different languages, Ms. Hannahs ensures that all means ALL. She accommodates the language needs of her scholars who are learning to read and write English. She is patient and encouraging. For her scholars who struggle academically or behaviorally, Ms. Hannahs has strategies to meet her scholars where they are while still holding high expectations. She builds strong relationships with scholars and their families to set a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Just recently, a former scholar who is now an adult, came to the building to deliver an Amazon package and specifically asked is she still worked at our school and asked to see her. The tears that flowed from both of them was heartwarming.
Additionally, Ms. Hannahs is well respected among her colleagues as the room where everyone wants to observe to learn what "magic" she has that makes her classroom one of the best performing classrooms in the building. She is constantly thinking of new ways to engage her scholars and shares those ideas with her colleagues. Her impact extends beyond the classroom to include partnerships with community members to support her scholars or the building. Over the summer, Ms. Hannahs worked with other staff to submit requests for socks. Many of our scholars walk to/from school and are always in need of warm, dry socks. Ms. Hannah's effort to submit the requests for socks netted our building over 20,000 pairs of socks. We were able to provide enough socks to every scholar in other buildings within our district, sent several per home per student over winter break and donated others to community organizations and churches. All of this was a result of Ms. Hannah's passion for reaching the whole child.
Finally, Ms. Hannahs has a love for learning. She is constantly researching ways to refine and take her craft to another level. She is reflective of her practices and is flexible enough to pivot when necessary. It is a joy to have Ms. Hannahs at Fulton and I highly recommend her to receive this award.
I have had the pleasure for over 20 years. Tricia has worked in several capacities for me through the City Of Troy recreation department in Troy Ohio. Tricia was a swim team coach Playground leader and Playground supervisor over many years. The Troy Recreation Department wishes Trisha well and her future endeavors.
Very hard worker and a very wonderful person!
Awesome very sweet lady talk to her everyday at the gym, compliments people everyday, awesome lady!
She is an amazing humanbeing
Tricia is a wonderful teacher and a even better colleague. She has been very helpful whenever I have had questions. She is involved is many school committees and helps whenever needed!
Tricia treats each child in her class as if they are her family. She pours her time, heart and energy into these kids each and every single day. She provides them with so many things that help them learn. She is truly deserving of this award.
Besides being an excellent teacher to her first grade class by advancing each one, she led the request to Bombas socks for 20,000 pairs of socks that were distributed in the district. She has led other fund raisers that have been beneficial for the school and the district.
She is a team leader For Girls on the Run.
She has done all of this while obtaining her Master’s Degree and TESOL certification.
So deserved! I've known Tricia for 35+ years. She has always been loving, generous, kind and supportive. Children and adults are drawn to her! So awesome to see her being recognized. Tricia truly is a life-changer!
Tricia Hannahs is the BEST! She is always finding ways to include her community to rally the support needed to ensure an equitable firat grade classroom. Great work Springfield for choosing an awesome teacher and advocate for your students!
Tricia- leaves a lasting impression on her students. Some of her former students seek her out to share with her what they’ve been up to since being in her class. Also, she’s constantly on the look for things for her classroom or fun projects her students will enjoy! She reaches out to her friends near & far for support for the scholastic reading program for her students so everyone has a book to read. She goes above and beyond for her students & it shows year after year!!
Consistently year after year Tricia Hannahs approaches each new class with the same commitment and enthusiasm as her first year! She advocates for each student and their family striving to support them not only academically but also personally. From gifting new books to each student every month of the school year to getting food donations for economically challenged families, Ms Hannahs serves every aspect of the kids' lives. Students often come back to visit her in their adult lives to honor her and thank her for the great impact she had in their lives. No one deserves this award more than Tricia Hannahs!
Tricia has been an advocate for her first graders as long as I've known her. She treats all her students with respect, regardless of their ethnicity or socio-economic level. She's never been too proud to enhance her classroom by trash picking, finding and refurbishing valuable things that others have thrown away. She is always canvassing for books and treats for her kiddos, and has even put out pleas for help in meeting other needs that they may have. I've always appreciated her positive attitude that permeates her classroom, as well as her caring for not just the learning of her students, but their needs as well.
Tricia Hannahs truly puts her heart and soul into teaching her students. She spends her own money, receives donations to purchase necessary items for not only her classroom, but for each of her students. With her creative mind, intelligence, and education, Tricia creates an environment for her students that leaves lasting impressions while stimulating and challenging each little mind that enters through her door. Tricia is the kind of teacher every school needs. She truly loves her students and she consistently demonstrates that each and every day. Tricia's school and students are truly blessed to have her.
Tricia is a 100 teacher that is looking out for the best for her kids. She wants everything to be great for them and she does everything she can to make that happen. She has a wonderful classroom. She is bright and bubbly and great with the kids.
I have been friends with Tricia since Jr. High. She is as genuine a person as you can find. She is always positive and kind and has a great sense of humor! For years on Facebook, she has engaged her many social media and personal friends to support the kids in her class. She started a campaign to collect donations from her social media contacts to ensure each child in her class gets books and she’s done that for several years. Recently she became aware that several of “her kids” were homeless and the only meals they were getting were the ones during school. Once again, she spread the word on social media and several of us donated so she could buy some food for them. I don’t have kids in school anymore, but if I did, I would want her to be my kids teacher. She really cares and makes a real difference in their lives, not just in school, but outside. That’s a great teacher and a great person!
Ms. Hannas is the bomb.com teacher! She goes above and beyond her call to teaching. The children and families she serves become her families. She is always looking for new ways to make her classroom warm and inviting.
When my classroom moved into her school building she made me and my preschoolers always feel welcomed and loved.
This recognition is absolutely going to the right person!
Tricia Hannahs is an amazing educator! She goes above and beyond for her students. Every morning, they can't wait to get to their class and see her! I am so excited for her to receive this nomination! She is changing lives every, single day!
