LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Rachel Wood was nominated by her colleague, William Ireland.

When Ms. Wood was 22 years old, she left her first year teaching frustrated by the standardized system that she found herself in and dreading going back for another year. That's when she was brought into the community of parents and educators who were creating a new public charter school in the rural mountain community of Boone, North Carolina. Ms. Wood has poured her soul into this school, and she is the true heart of Two Rivers Community School.

After several years of teaching and being the person whom students, parents, and even staff members sought for a willing and supportive ear, Ms. Wood went back to school to obtain her school counselor's degree. Since obtaining that degree, she has become even more crucial to the success of her families and students. She helps families in crisis, students who are in meltdown mode, and colleagues who need a non-judgemental sounding board for ideas and frustrations. She has taken on every task with eagerness and spirit and made important things happen for people.

"Rachel deserves every recognition out there for what she has done for our community," said Ireland.