LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jaime Oppenlander was nominated by an acquaintance who wishes to remain anonymous.

Ms. Oppenlander has taught in the SXI classroom for eight years. Her students have severe multiple impairments, but this does not stop her from working each day with her staff to instill a YES WE CAN attitude in each student.  Every student has an Individual Education Plan which identifies areas of focus.  With this, Ms. Oppenlander encourages progress in many areas of their physical, emotional, and educational development.

She encourages her students to experience all aspects of the community, whether it's during school or outside of the school day. During community based instruction time, they visit nearby retirement homes, local stores, and other local venues.  During the summer months, she takes her students on outings that help further their skills.

Ms. Oppenlander is always looking for ways to help her students. This year, she organized the purchase of a wheelchair swing so her students could enjoy playground time like other students. Her class pops hundreds of bags of popcorn to sell to the school's student body every Friday. The money they raise helps pay for classroom equipment.

In an effort to bring calm to her classroom, she trained her Golden Retriever, Dakota, to be a therapy dog.  Dakota comes to school daily, interacting with her students. 

Ms. Oppenlander played tennis at Grand Valley State University. She brings her love for tennis and her can-do spirit to her students by setting up events at the local tennis club. These events allow children with special needs in Western Michigan to learn tennis, while being taught by local pros and players in the area. She has expanded this work to the Midwest as the USTA Adaptive Tennis chairperson for Michigan.

Jaime Oppenlander in the News:
GH teacher nominated for LifeChanger Award