LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dayana Tinker was nominated by a parent of a student, Myrna Schexnayder.

"Ms. Tinker creates a safe, welcoming, and genuinely loving environment where every student feels valued and inspired to succeed," said Schexnayder. 

Ms. Tinker consistently goes above and beyond to foster a positive and nurturing classroom culture that motivates her students to work hard and take pride in their learning. Her impact extends well beyond the classroom, as former students frequently return to visit, and she maintains meaningful relationships with many families over time. Ms. Tinker has a unique ability to connect with each student, regardless of their prior experience with Spanish, and she brings the language to life in a way that excites and fully immerses her students. As a leader within the immersion team, she actively pilots innovative classroom ideas and plays a key role in uniting and strengthening the team as a whole.