LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lori Martin, also known as "Coach Lo" was nominated Kaitlyn Shadwick, a former student.

"When I think of Coach Lo, the words that come to mind are faith, humility, and grace. When I was a sophomore in high school, she was in her first year teaching at Pryor High. Math was my least favorite subject and something I could NEVER grasp. Starting at a new school and in another math class felt scary and made me worry about my potential outside of school. Coach Lo has this amazing way of bringing homework into the classroom. She sent us links to her online classroom, where she would upload the videos on how to do the math problems so we could watch them at home as many times as we needed for a refresher, and then we would do the worksheets in the classroom," said Shadwick.

Beyond the classroom, Coach Lo watches out for her students in public. She is a trusted adult students can confide in for safety and takes cautious action. 

"She left to teach at another school during junior year, and I was put in another math class. It didn't go well. She came back during my senior year. Here I was, a senior who barely understood basic math and was so scared I wouldn't graduate. She spent countless hours working with me in planning periods, after school, and in between. Finals week came, and I was so scared for this math final. She came up with an alternative way to take tests. She brought me out to the hallway, sat down with me, and had me explain how to do the problems. She worked with me to ensure I graduated. She IS the reason I graduated. I owe my adulthood to her. Even into adulthood, she is a person I turn to in sadness, joy, and loss. I have spent holidays with Coach Lo, as well as dinners and lunches. I still, to this day, am close with Coach. She knows my husband, and my son will know exactly who is responsible for saving my life and making sure I became who I am. She has loved me in my lowest moments, prayed with me in joy and sadness, and opened her home and heart to my little family and I. I am forever grateful for Coach. She absolutely deserves this honor," Shadwick concluded.