LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lynette Howard was nominated by her colleague, Patsy Williams.

Ms. Howard has been the principal of J. P. Starks for 13 years and has transformed the campus into a school of excellence. She has provided high quality instructors, extended learning opportunities, and built relationships with students, staff and parents. She ensures that everything that takes place on campus is about the children, and makes sure that staff are provided with the support necessary to ensure student success.

Under Ms. Howard's leadership, J. P. Starks is now a top vanguard campus for fourth and fifth grade students who have a love for math, science and technology. She has equipped her campus with the technology necessary to produce students prepared for a 21st century society. All classrooms are equipped with computers, and teachers are trained weekly on best practices. Each year, she also secures funding so that vanguard students can travel to the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston.

She encourages teachers to apply for grants which will aid in students' educational success. These grants have funded an outdoor learning classroom, a robotics afterschool program, musical instruments and many outside learning opportunities in the community.

"Ms. Howard expects all stakeholders to give 212 degrees worth of effort and challenges us to ensure that 100% of our students are performing at least 90% or better," Williams said. "Students have a sense of pride, respect and responsibility. People that come to visit are always amazed at the atmosphere of excellence that takes place on this campus. It all begins with leadership, and it is my belief that Ms. Howard exudes extraordinary leadership skills...she has made a difference in so many students' lives on a daily basis. Some give all and all give some, but she has given and is giving her all."