LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Ingrid Mitchell was nominated by Dr. Rhonda Brown-Crowder, the parent of a student.

Some people go quietly through life, day after day, impacting those around them. They operate in their God-given gifts and talents, changing the lives of others, all the while not realizing they are “there”. “There” is that place of success we have all imagined in our minds that lets us know we have made it. We are operating at our highest level and fullest potential. These people are consistently in the right place at the right time, doing all of the right things. They are completely effective in using all and being all that they were called to be. They are amazing human beings, changing the very dynamics of this planet and making a difference in the lives of those around them.

One of the main reasons they do not realize that they are “there” is because they are the ones who give tirelessly and selflessly, without seeking or asking for anything in return. They prefer to go unrecognized and to remain in the shadows. Rather than shouting their accomplishments from the rooftops to all who will listen, they choose to remain quiet and let their good deeds speak for themselves. They simply give themselves away by being who they are. Coach Mitchell is one of those people.

"As the parent of a child with special needs, we are faced with many challenges. Some of our children have little to no speech. Some are intellectually delayed in some capacity. Some are socially awkward and unaware," said Dr. Brown-Crowder. "Two of the hardest things for us parents are to find someone that believes in our child’s potential and abilities as much as we do, and to find someone that we feel we can truly trust with our children. I refer to the word ‘trust’ in the context that our children can be safe with them and believe in what is being told to them. This person must have our children’s best interest at heart and be able to handle our children with care and treat them with respect."

"Ingrid Mitchell embodies all these qualities and more. She has a heart for our Special Needs population and possesses the ability to connect effortlessly with our students, athletes and parents," said Dr. Brown-Crowder. "Ingrid genuinely desires to see our students and athletes succeed and overcome any barriers they may face."

One of Coach Mitchell's roles in her district is Special Olympics Coach.

"I recently saw a picture of her with one of her Special Olympics Powerlifting athletes, at an Area Competition, that moved me to tears," said Dr. Brown-Crowder. "I was so moved by that picture because everything that I desire for my child to experience in his relationship with his teachers and coaches, was captured and realized in that one moment. In this picture, no one else existed but Coach Ingrid and the athlete. He was in a readied position, looking at her intently for guidance as he was preparing to lift the heavy weights. She was in a crouched position, looking at him intently and coaching him on what to do. It was evident that the athlete trusted her completely. He knew that she believed in him and had his best interest at heart, and Coach Ingrid knew that there wasn’t anything this athlete couldn’t accomplish. She displayed full confidence in his abilities. As I looked at that picture, I thought to myself, 'She is there!' This is what success in life looks like for her! She is doing the very thing she was born to do, which is to help our special needs children!"

In addition to coaching her district's Special Olympics student athletes, Coach Mitchell is also a Special Education Transition Teacher. For the past four years, she has made it her life’s mission to do everything she can to make sure special needs high school students are trained thoroughly in the classroom, so that they can ultimately become more independent and transition into employment within the community. The classroom training she provides allows students to have access to real-life equipment, tools, hands-on learning, and more. This specialized training allows them to practice in a contained environment before going out into the real world.

Coach Mitchell does more than make sure her students are adequately trained within the classroom. She also works tirelessly in the community to establish and maintain relationships with local businesses, who provide a place where students can go and put their knowledge and training into action and implement the things they have learned. The students are excited and feel a sense of pride in showcasing their skills and talents.

"As parents, we're excited about the newfound opportunities given to our special needs children, and, potential employers are excited to have the additional help in their establishments. It is a win-win for everyone," said Dr. Brown-Crowder.

While Coach Mitchell has many responsibilities in the Grand Prairie Independent School District, two things remain constant: her love and genuineness for working with Special Needs Children, and her desire to help them to succeed. So often, our society measures how successful people are based on their salary range and job titles. All the while, we have those who are unassuming, seeking no name or fame for themselves, and yet, they are the real LifeChangers.

"At some point in life, we all need someone to come along and tell us that we are 'there!' We need to be told that what we are doing in life matters and is truly making a difference," said Dr. Brown-Crowder. "I humbly ask you to join me in letting Coach Ingrid Mitchell know that she is 'there,' as well."