LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Stacey Firpo was nominated by her colleague, Julie Ulrich.

Ms. Firpo is a true LifeChanger whose career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to students and a belief that every child can thrive with the right support. With 18 years as an elementary educator and 12 years as an administrator, she brings both classroom heart and systems-level expertise to her leadership.

Ms. Firpo is an experienced, results-driven educational leader with a decade of success guiding schools toward measurable academic growth through innovative instructional practices and personalized learning. Her work consistently centers on creating positive, inclusive learning environments where students feel safe, valued, and empowered to succeed. She was selected to open the district's newest school, Northlake TK–8, in August 2024. In the past two years, she has led the campus to become the district's top-performing school, a testament to her vision, leadership, and student-centered focus. Her leadership is marked by strategic vision and the ability to turn goals into outcomes. 

Ms. Firpo has a proven track record of improving student achievement, including facilitating a dramatic rise in school-wide performance from 22nd in ELA and 18th in math to 1st and 2nd, respectively, at her previous school site. She is skilled in strategic planning, curriculum development, data analysis, budget management, and staff development, using each of these tools to build strong systems that support both students and educators.

Ms. Firpo focuses deeply on building strong relationships with students and staff, leads with transparency, and is never hesitant to roll up her sleeves and assist wherever needed. Known as a compassionate leader and creative problem solver, Ms. Firpo approaches challenges with flexibility, heart, and a true passion for children. Her dedication to community engagement and collaborative partnerships has driven positive change across school sites in California, ensuring success extends beyond the classroom and into the broader community.

Her impact has been recognized through numerous honors, including:

• The 2022 California Pivotal Practice Award
• The 2022 TRUSD Diamond Award for Student Achievement
• The 2023 TRUSD March Madness Award for i-Ready ELA Achievement
• The 2010 Crystal Award, and
• Leading a 2024–2025 TRUSD Top Performing CAASPP School.

Ms. Firpo also established the SWUN/TRUSD Research and Innovation Center on the Northlake campus in August 2024, demonstrating her forward-thinking commitment to innovation. As a thoughtful leader, she has shared her expertise through the Peek a Pak Global Webinar on transforming school culture through SEL (social-emotional learning), presented at the CABSE 2025 Conference in Napa. She is featured in an academic textbook vignette in Literacy for the 21st Century: A Balanced Approach (4th Edition) by Dr. Gail Thompkins.

Above all, Ms. Firpo is known for her deep commitment to the success and well-being of all students, staff, and families. She leads with heart, integrity, and purpose, creating school communities where relationships come first and every learner feels loved, challenged, and capable of excellence — the true mark of a LifeChanger.