LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tom Bartz was nominated anonymously.

Mr. Bartz believes creating a positive school environment starts with recognizing and reinforcing the behaviors he and his staff want to see. Through the PBIS framework and JAGcoin program, staff award more than 100,000 JAGcoins each year to students who demonstrate the core values of respect, responsibility, kindness, teamwork, communication, creativity, engagement, perseverance, and integrity. Students redeem their JAGcoins at the JAG General school store or enter buddy raffles, class raffles, the Winter Social, and exciting end-of-year prize drawings. To keep these opportunities available, Mr. Bartz personally funds much of the program out of his pocket because he believes every student deserves to have their positive choices recognized and celebrated. By consistently reinforcing positive behavior, he has built a culture where students are motivated to do the right thing, support one another, and take pride in being part of the school community.