LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Joanie Hughes was nominated by Stacie Haaga, the parent of a student.

"Ms. Hughes is deserving of the LifeChanger award because she has helped countless students become successful, independent thinkers during her many years at Eukarya Christian Academy," said Haaga.

As a humble leader with a servant-heart, Ms. Hughes has worked to cultivate a culture that feels like home - a safe, nurturing, and caring environment for learning. She is thoughtful, approachable, hard-working, and empathetic while also maintaining high expectations for the staff and students at Eukarya. To know her is to love her!

Throughout her time at the school—first as a teacher, then as principal, and now as the head of the school—Ms. Hughes' genuine love for its mission has inspired unimaginable growth. The school began with eight students 13 years ago. During her eight years as principal, she helped grow enrollment from 70 to over 600 students and established both a homeschool and pre-K program.

Ms. Hughes also shepherded a move to a new, larger location to accommodate expansion, enabling Eukarya to meet the needs of its families and the greater community. She is never above doing what needs to be done, whether it's in her job description or not! When Ms. Hughes sees a need unmet, she seeks to fulfill it. She often goes above and beyond, adding more to her plate, but she always does so with a smile on her face and a calm, reassuring voice.

Her positive attitude sets the tone for the entire school and has an impact far beyond the classroom and into students' families. Throughout it all, Ms. Hughes has maintained a steadfast commitment to small class sizes and to equipping students to seek truth, goodness, and beauty through classical education.