LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Samantha Tres was nominated by an anonymous student.

"Ms. Tres is truly an educator who has inspired me every day throughout high school and has been the most influential person in my life," said the student. "Her way of teaching is what made me fall in love with Biology and helped me determine my future career path. She brings life to what she is teaching, and you can tell she whole-heartedly enjoys what she does. She doesn't just read from a textbook speaking like a robot, but does hands-on activities and interacts with each and every student, whether it be through eye contact or calling on them. Ms. Tres really teaches and makes sure it sticks with every student."

"Furthermore, she is the most passionate teacher I have ever met. She stays after school with students for however long is needed to help them further understand a certain topic in her class," said the student. "She is always at the school, whether she's planning lessons, grading papers, or just talking to students and fellow staff members. Ms. Tres is so dedicated, and on top of all of this, she cares for her students tremendously."

"In my education, I have never met a more empathetic, compassionate teacher. No matter who the person may be, Ms.Tres will do whatever she can to be there for them, and they do not have to be her student for her to care for them," said the student. "She is the most trusted staff member to the students, and she takes a lot of them under her wing. That's very important to us, to have someone to talk to who we can trust. Without Ms. Tres and her wisdom and nurturing advice, I would not be where I am today. She has guided me through my high school education and has helped me even when I haven't been taking any of her courses. She will stay after school with me when I don't understand some of my higher science classes, and she'll do whatever it takes to help me understand and pass a class that isn't even hers."

Ms. Tres goes above and beyond to not only help students, but to give them a safe environment to learn and let off steam. She is funny in a way that engages students. She's appropriate, but brings enough comedic relief to her class to make students want to actually learn. It's something that's difficult to do, but she does an excellent job at keeping students on their toes and wanting to learn. She is also an active community member for the students, showing them tons of support at multiple extracurricular activities.

"Personally, she has come to every event I have told her about or invited her to, from soccer games to theatre performances to long choir concerts," said the student. "No matter what, she will do whatever it takes to be there to support her students. She has gone to football games, and every extracurricular activity under the sun at our school, and she always does it with a smile and words of encouragement. She is someone who is always there when nobody else is. Not to mention, she's always positive, no matter the circumstances. She makes her students feel at home and safe in their learning environment."

"Ms. Tres has only been teaching for four years, but she has already made a big impact," said the student. "She was made to be a LifeChanger through teaching; she has a heart of gold, and it really shows. She is a natural helper and an amazing person inside and out who goes above and beyond each day to better her students. Ms. Tres is, hands down, my favorite teacher and LifeChanger!"