LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kyla Anderson was nominated anonymously. 

"If I had three words to describe Kyla, they would be dynamic, passionate, and impactful," said the nominator.

Ms. Anderson, a Spring 2024 graduate of Texas Southern University, always knew her heart was in education, recognizing the impact of her own teachers and the success she achieved through the relationships she built with them. After graduation, she took a position as a long-term charter school substitute in the northern part of the city, often riding across town during an hour-long (one-way) bus commute, and still needed to find time to earn additional income to supplement living costs. Despite the emotional and physical toll, she soaked up the campus environment, learning about (often across grade levels) the impact of the school community on a child's life.

Ms. Anderson then persevered and pursued employment with the local school district in spring 2025, where she became a teacher apprentice, lesson-planning, serving on staff committees, and participating in professional development. In August 2025, she began the school year as a teacher apprentice. By September 2025, her passion for education had become so impactful across campus that her principal, Gloria Zavala, recommended and moved Ms. Anderson into a teacher-of-record role. 

Principal Zavala noted Ms. Anderson in her "Pirate of the Week" recognition for "bringing an incredible level of energy, positivity, and commitment to her classroom every single day." Her bubbly personality shines through in her interactions with students, making her room a place where students feel encouraged, supported, and excited to learn. 

Principal Zavala also noted that "Ms. Anderson's instruction is consistently on point and demonstrates a skill level far beyond her years in the profession". Principal Zavala shared that she is "so proud of Kyla's growth and the excellence she continues to bring to the Hartman campus."