LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kaylee Heck was nominated anonymously. 

Creating a positive classroom environment is all about making students feel safe, loved, capable, and excited to learn. At this age, relationships matter just as much as academics. Ms. Heck strives to build strong relationships with her students while establishing clear routines. Most students do well when they know what is going to happen next. She works hard on making sure her students know they belong in her classroom while making learning fun. Ms. Heck is going into her third year of teaching. Her goal is to have flexible seating and calming spaces to support attention and self-regulation, while hands-on academic materials will strengthen foundational literacy and math skills. Social-emotional resources will foster kindness, confidence, and problem-solving, helping students build positive relationships and develop a lifelong love of learning.