Rene Stanley
Position: AP English Teacher and Dance Team Coach
School: Independence High School
School District: Independence USD 446
City, State: Independence, KS
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Music that Describes Rene
Rene Stanley was nominated by her spouse, Shane Stanley.
Mrs. Stanley teaches six different English courses to juniors and seniors in Independence, Kansas, ranging from college prep to Advanced Placement. She coaches the IHS Dance Team, serves on various school committees, and has represented AP Literature teachers on College Board panels across the country.
Mrs. Stanley began her career at IHS in 2005. She is responsible for the addition of an AP Language and Composition course, as well as concurrent credit composition and literature courses. Mrs. Stanley petitioned for these courses to be added, created the curriculum, and now teaches these classes with skill and excitement. She regularly mentors other teachers and is an advocate for her department, co-workers, and students.
Within the classroom, Mrs. Stanley is known for challenging students and pushing them to exceed their own expectations. Her students consistently score well on AP Literature and AP Language exams, and her students know – without a doubt – that she cares for them, their emotional well-being, and their futures. In any given year, Mrs. Stanley writes approximately fifty letters of recommendation. Students know that regardless of their ability to analyze Shakespeare or Keats, Mrs. Stanley is able to recognize what makes them an incredible individual, full of promise and the ability to succeed.
When she's not teaching, Mrs. Stanley dedicates her time and talents to the College Board. Year-round, she writes passages for the SAT exam and scores AP Literature exam essays in the summer. Her commitment to professional development is commendable, and her drive to perfect her craft is noteworthy.
Students and parents frequently write to Mrs. Stanley to thank her for the impact she’s made. Students regularly notice a tremendous improvement on their ACT Reading and English scores after taking her class, and countless graduates still keep in touch with her in order to ask advice or share their academic achievements.
"Rene is, without a doubt, a Life Changer. I know, firsthand, how true this statement is because Rene is my wife, and she has undoubtedly changed my life," said Mr. Stanley. "My original degree is not in education, but after witnessing Rene’s passion for her students and content, and after hearing of her many successes in the classroom – no matter a student’s ability, level of motivation, or support system – I returned to school in order to become a Career and Technical Education teacher. While our content is different, the students we serve are the same. I always hear students complement my wife’s ability to engage and challenge them. Whether she's turning her classroom into a coffee shop for a poetry reading or encouraging a student to apply to their dream school, Rene does her work with incredible attention to detail and remarkable energy. She truly loves what she does, and her love for students is evident."
Rene is an awesome instructor to work with and she very much deserves this award! I have worked with her for several years now through our ICC NOW program at Independence Community College and she is always willing to go above and beyond to make sure the students at her school have multiple offerings and are being set up for success. When offering classes for dual credit there is always extra work that has to be done on top of the every HS work and she always make sure to make it happen! Her students and school are lucky to have her!
Mrs. Stanley exists far outside the realm of the casual, everyday instructor. The passion she holds for each student and their personal success is brazen and unmatched; having taken a full year of AP Language and Composition as well as the semester-long course of Introduction to Literature under her tutelage, I can attest to the effectiveness of her educational methodology and the lengths she goes to ensure our comprehension and growth. When considering the qualities and accomplishments necessary for receiving this recognition, I could not fathom a more deserving teacher than Mrs. Stanley.
Mrs. Stanley (Stan) has been my dance coach for the past four years, and english teacher for the past two. Ever since I met Stan she has always been understanding and willing to listen. While being my coach she has shown me what it means to not only be a leader, but someone who takes the time getting to know their teammates and students. In the classroom, Mrs. Stanley pushes me to reach my full potential in every assignment given. Mrs. Stanley has been a shoulder to cry on, a support system, and someone I know that I can always go to for advice. After I graduate I will miss seeing Stan at practices and in class, but I know that I will always carry the lessons and advice she has taught me.
She became my dance coach in high school! I remember that I was nervous for a new coach and if things were going to run smoothly and what was going to change. Then it turned out to be the very best thing we needed! She was always on top of things! If she didn’t know something she sure never showed it!! I loved having her as a coach, because she also became my friend. So thank you for everything Stan!!
Mrs.Stanley has helped me step way out of my comfort zone and I appreciate her so much for doing that. I would have never thought of joining the dance team but i’m so glad I did. She has been an amazing coach and I couldn’t ask for anyone better.
Rene is an amazing person inside and out. She's always striving to bring out the best in her students and we see it. Her care and love for her students is very evident in all the hard work and time she puts in to developing her students and herself. I've had the privilege and honor of working with Rene for the last nine years. She makes me want to be a better teacher.
I met Rene over ten years ago while attending undergraduate at Pittsburg State University. Rene had a significant impact on my growth as a writer. Notably, I was not one of her students. Rene just willingly offered her time to review and critique numerous papers I had to submit. Thankfully, she married one of my greatest friends and I get to frequently converse with her about life beyond our years at Pitt State. During those conversations, it is impossible to miss Rene's genuine care for her students and her desire for them to achieve their loftiest goals. I know Rene makes a positive difference in every student she encounters. To honor and promote Rene as a LifeChanger in the most succinct way possible to me, I thought of the following attributes that best fit my view of this LifeChanger.
L - Leader
I - Influential
F - Faithful
E - Encouraging
C - Compassionate
H - Honest
A - Accountable
N - Nurturing
E - Exemplary
R - Reliable
I have worked with so many of Rene’s students over the years at the college. We hear about Rene’s classes all the time during enrollment sessions. Students that have taken her classes always talk about how much they’ve learned and how much they love her. You can tell that she loves what she does and truly cares about her students.
Rene is an amazing teacher and a great fellow teacher.
Rene is a role model to all of her colleagues! She is professional and is constantly looking for ways to improve her classroom. Rene is definitely a person others strive to be like! I’m most definitely a better person having her in my life!
Mrs. Stanley is, and has been, an outstanding educator to hundreds of students.
She displays her expertise in formal literature, essay formatting, and critical analyses in class daily. But more importantly, Mrs. Stanley shares this knowledge with her students in a clear and sophisticated manner. She meets each student at their individual ability level and provides them with the tools to write and analyze literature to their full capabilities.
I, personally, am grateful to Mrs. Stanley for enabling me to feel confident in my writing skills as I entered college. Her courses in high school were challenging and prepared me for the rigorous nature of upper education.
Mrs. Stanley cares for her student’s AND her student’s success in school. She is truly an an exemplary educator.
Mrs. Stanley is an extraordinary teacher. I have spent the past two years in school taking my English courses under her. There Is no doubt when I say her teaching methods and dedication to her students in unmatched. Not only is she inspiring, but her personality is what makes the classroom a home. She takes the time to get to know her students on a personal level which you don't see enough of anymore. Her doing this allows us to feel comfortable and relaxed in her classroom, making it the only class I look forward to in the day. Mrs. Stanley has made me love English again, a subject that I lost interest for long ago. All it took was a teacher who genuinely cared about her students and about making them better people while giving them the tools to be successful in their future English careers and every aspect of their academic life.
Stan was always so helpful not only in the English department, but in life in general. She is always so encouraging and made sure we excelled as students. I was lucky enough to spend much of my time with her in high school as she was my teacher and dance coach. She made high school a great experience!
Stanley is the best teacher everrrr!!! I’ve been in her class for the past two years, and I have learned so much. Her classroom environment is so welcoming and peaceful, and I enjoy going to her class every day:) thank you for being such an outstanding teacher!!! Best of luck, you definitely deserve it<3
Mrs. Stanley is a great teacher. I’ve never been a fan of English, but she makes it fun and interesting. I have had her for two years and I love her class! She fits this award perfectly!
Rene Stanley is a woman of exceptional quality and character, and as a teacher she is a model for other teachers and educators to aspire to. I wanted to find a quote that could capture the essence of what her teaching truly gave us, and I found one from a source I did not expect: Bruce Lee. He once said "knowledge will give you power, but character gives respect." Comparing English classes to martial arts may sound absurd, but Rene truly empowered us through her teaching, and her constant support and guidance built our character in our own special ways. Yes she did teach us how to be better writers and interpreters of literature, but I truly feel that I got more out of her classes than just how to read Shakespeare. Her teaching influenced my classmates and I in ways that we are still trying to understand. In fact, just a few days ago I was thinking about my high school experience and was trying to decide what single class had the most influence on where I am today. After considerable thought, I was surprised to come to the conclusion that it was the classes that I had with Rene. As a biology/biochemistry major you would think that I would have been influenced most by the science classes I took, but I realized that it is what I learned in her classes that I have held onto the most. Without Rene's influence on my writing and ideas, I wouldn't have earned the scholarships I needed to afford college and would be on a very different path than the one I am on now. Writing this comment is just a small way for me to give back to Rene for all of the good and wisdom that she imparted me with, so I hope you take into consideration just how much Rene has influenced the lives and futures of her students, both past and present. My story and the comments below only scratch the surface of what makes Rene an exceptional person and a true life changer.
Mrs. Stanley was the absolute best dance coach and BEST teacher ever. She made us laugh, constantly. She was so supportive in everything I was apart of. In the classroom, she helped me as much as possible, with whatever I needed. She definitely made it known that she was only a call away! She made us all feel like we were apart of her family and I will never forget her! She is the absolute best!! <3
I taught with Rene at Independence High School for several years and was her department chair for part of that time. When I think of her as a teacher, there are several words/phrases that come to mind, but the one that tends to stick in my head the most is adaptable. When you are an educator, you learn to adapt to a variety of situations; whether it is new standards, new administrators, new curriculum, or new contruction, you have to adapt. Rene has always been able to adapt in a way that makes it seem seamless; she makes it seem as if she has done something a specific for several years when it may simply be her first month of doing something. For example, the year before Rene started teaching the AP English classes, we (the school) were looking for a new English teacher. We wanted someone who could teach the senior English classes. However, the person we hired was more suited for teaching freshmen than seniors; Rene stepped up and took over the senior English classes, including the AP Senior English class. Obviously, the seniors knew she had not taught those classes the previous year, but I was impressed by how easy she made the it look to change from teaching freshmen to teaching seniors. When the accelerated English 11 class became an AP class, Rene took that over as well and, again, made it look easy. Having taught a variety of English classes, I know that teaching upperclassmen is very different from teaching underclassmen. In some ways it is easier; in other ways it is more difficult. I have also always been impressed by the dedication and commitment Rene has to the students in general and her school has a whole. It is not easy for any teacher to take on extra duties; Rene does it with two small children at home. She has always been active on committees and sponsoring activities. I do believe that she is a true lifechanger.
I have taught with Rene for several years and have appreciated the professionalism and effort she puts into each and every hour with her students. Rene works to create relevant lessons which both challenge her students and equip them for whichever path they may choose after high school. I have also been on the parent side of things, as my own three kids have had Mrs. Stanley as a teacher. My kids have each thoroughly enjoyed their experiences in her classes and have come away with the knowledge they needed to move on to a four-year college. As a professional, Rene gives much to the school besides just in her teaching. She and I serve together on the school's accreditation team and I value her input and the dedication she gives to each aspect of the process. Independence High School is very fortunate to have Rene Stanley and Rene is very deserving of the Life Changer award.
As I read through these comments I can not help but think "Oh yes I remember Mrs. Stanley doing that for me" along with thoughts like "wow I took Mrs. Stanley for granted." I could go on and on and talk about how great of a teacher Mrs. Stanley is, but that would be redundant as many already have done just that. Although I agree with all of these, my greatest story with Mrs. Stanley begins the summer between my sophomore and junior year of my undergrad, as I was applying to medical school. A few weeks before I was ready to send in my application I was diagnosed with stage three cancer. My head began to rush, I still had so much to do, I had to have my personal statement edited, I had to fill out the rest of the application, I had to travel to Houston to begin treatment. During this whole ordeal, I sent my personal statement, from my application, to Mrs. Stanley so she could review and edit the essay. Even though there was little to do to calm my mind and heart during this time when I hit the "send" button to Mrs. Stanley I felt calm knowing my application was in good hands. As the due date came near Mrs. Stanley returned my personal statement I reviewed it and sent it in, and a month later I received an email that I had received an interview and a short week later I had been informed that I had been accepted to the University of Kansas Medical School. There are no words or actions I can say or do in order to show Mrs. Stanley my gratitude for what she did for me this last summer. My dream of becoming a doctor was becoming a reality, and that is what is so great about Mrs. Stanley, for every student their dream had become her dream. Even though I was out of school for two years I knew I could rely on her for her help. I read a book this last summer while in Houston about leadership, and one of the attributes was written something like "the ability to foster relationships with others" and if I were to author a book about attributes of a teacher my first point would write "the ability to foster relationships with their students" because this is how you impact a students life, to have a hand in their life, and that is truly the person and teacher Mrs. Stanley was and continues to be to this day.
I am the orchestra director at Independence schools and have had the pleasure of working with Rene Stanley since the fall of 2014. For the past several years, Mrs. Stanley's dance team has collaborated with us in a halftime performance during a basketball game -- and I can't think of any other school in our area that has such a unique collaborative performance during their dance team season. It's a great opportunity for our student musicians to get to work with other performers as well as for the dance team to perform with live music, and it's probably harder to prepare than the other routines performed by the dance team throughout the season. Even though it means extra work in preparing her dance team, setting aside extra rehearsal time for us to be able to come in and run the piece several times before the performance, and dealing with the uncertainties of live performance, we are preparing to do this again for the upcoming boys' basketball season. From discussing music selection to performance preparation to the actual event itself, Rene is an enthusiastic and encouraging collaborator in this project that brings two very different groups of students together for this performance.
I appreciate Rene and her team sharing the gym floor with our ensemble -- we get the chance to play in front of a very different audience at these games, including parents and players from the visiting district. I think this is another example of how much Rene cares about her students and school. I know our school is incredibly lucky to have such a caring teacher and coach working with us! I can think of no other teacher I know more deserving of recognition as Life Changer of the Year than Rene Stanley.
Best dance coach ever, good luckk stan!!!
In comparison to the average high school, opportunities are harder to come by in rural towns such as Independence, Kansas. Gems of various forms -- most importantly that of individuals -- are consequently more valuable. Without a doubt, Mrs. Stanley was and continues to be one of them. As both my sophomore (Honors English) and senior year (AP Literature) English teacher, I was fortunate enough to have spent two years under Mrs. Stanley's guidance. Although the impact of her sophomore year class was great in its thorough and thought-provoking introduction to the vast world of literature, her greatest impact on me was throughout her AP Literature class. She was the reason for my fascination for in-depth analyses of our readings, always upheld an encouraging and safe space in her classroom where all her students felt comfortable, and pushed my writing skills -- skills that directly resulted in my high-scoring ACT English/Writing and AP Literature exam scores -- that I continue to use today at the University of Kansas. Her incredible introduction to the realm of literature and my resultant composition skills have near-completely shaped my entire undergraduate career. Without them, I sincerely do not believe I would have been granted admission into the University Honors Program, a program that has given me multitudes of opportunities throughout my undergraduate experience (all of which have culminated in scholarships and a recent university award in community excellence). Without Mrs. Stanley and her AP Literature class, I also would not have made my decision to pursue a Bachelors of Arts degree in Humanities, a field that seeks to understand other individuals through critical literary analysis and communication. These are skills I know from Mrs. Stanley and are skills that I will use for the rest of my life. All of this is why I know that there are no possible words in the English language to properly thank Mrs. Stanley for all she has done for me and why she is so deserving of this award and recognition.
Becoming a teacher was something I decided would become my future pretty early on in my life. I became just that, 30 + years ago and would like to think that my niece, Rene Stanley, followed in her favorite aunt's footsteps. Teachers don't always get a lot of props for their efforts, however, this "Life Changer" award will be one that this young lady deserves for sure. While my sister, Rene's mom, was surviving cancer I saw this young lady step in and take care of things around their house. Taking care of her younger siblings, working, going to school, and taking care of her own family was something that was done with ease. Giving up her personal and family time to grade papers, prepare lessons, and attend conferences, is just part of her daily life. I could go on and on about this sweet young lady, however, I'll end with this to describe this awesome educator. T: Teacher E: Excellent A: Awesome C: Cherished H: Helper E: Encourager R: Respected. TEACHER is an English word, not an acronym.
I have only had Mrs. Stanley since August, but she is truly and amazing teacher. She had taught my brother before me and greatly changed his educational out look and perspective on life. She has helped me develop a better understanding of education and English. IHS is very blessed and lucky to have her!!
The name of this award is very appealing and could mean so much to someone, Mrs. Stanley deserves all the entitlement of being a life changer, but not for the year.. it’s for life. Mrs. Stanley was my teacher and dance coach. She has all her stuff put together and knows exactly what she wants to do and when she wants to do it, she is a goal setter and so determined to make these goals happen. She taught me being perfect was a goal but not a destination.. constantly striving for more and gaining more knowledge every step of the way. She taught me it’s okay to laugh at yourself and joke around when things don’t need to be serious all the time. She is caring. She has the motherly instinct but has that for all her students and team, she knows if somethings not right and knows the right things to say or when someone just needs an uplifting comment. She is strong, she is powerful, she is kind- hearted, she is beautiful, she is real. Mrs. Stanley, thank you so much because you are my life changer.
Having Mrs. Stanley as my AP English teacher for two years has been an amazing experience. Looking back on old essays my improvement is extremely noticeable and that is all thanks to her pushing me to be my absolute best. She is a very caring human being and she makes that known inside her classroom and out. She is a person I could go to when I'm feeling down and she shows that she cares. I am very grateful that I was able to have her for two full years. Mrs. Stanley is a great role model to have especially at this age, when life seems super complicated.
Mrs. Stanley has been the most influential teacher in my life. Not only has she helped me further my writing, but she helps me succeed in life in general. Anytime I'm feeling stressed, she asks me how I'm feeling and what's stressing me out. She has believed in me even when I did not believe in myself. She has truly changed my life for the better. There's no one more deserving of this award than she.
Coming into high school i was told that i was reading at a college level. By my junior year i had Mrs. Stanley as my English teacher and boy does she always push me. Every single day i go into her class looking forward to learning how to make sense of why someones carpet is blue and how that symbolizes the death of humanity. I may not completely understand how she is able to make meaning of the works we go through but she never lets me give up and always pushes me to even make a mediocre effort to understand what the author intended. So a huge thank you to her for always pushing me.
I have only had Mrs. Stanley for about a semester now for my English Composition class, but throughout this semester she has been a wonderful teacher. Mrs. Stanley is always there for her students and she always wants to see them succeed. She always is smiling, never judging anyone’s work. I wish I could have had classes with Mrs. Stanley before my senior year. Mrs. Stanley is a great teacher and I am glad I can go ahead and say she is already one of my favorite teachers.
This young lady is amazing! She is a natural teacher, the kind who expects a student to give their all every day so they can surprise themselves by how much they have learned because she did her own homework to bring her best every day. Her students love her and she is respected by parents and colleagues. She’s a winner and her community is so fortunate to have Rene in their school system.
I have known Rene since high school and her kind, encouraging heart has never changed! She goes far above what is necessary or expected for the benefit of her students.
Rene Stanley is a valued and respected faculty member at Independence High School. In testament to this is her position in the English Department. In just over a decade Rene has implemented Advanced Placement courses through the College Board: AP Language and AP Literature. Additionally, she has helped me and another member of our department create Pre-AP English courses that prepare students for success on the AP track. Her commitment to academic rigor goes well beyond the walls of her classroom. Rene has worked as a reader for the College Board, which requires her to spend a week in various locations around the country personally scoring close to 1500 student essay. The College Board has also accepted her proposals of essays and questions for AP tests and the SAT.
Our students benefit from her working relationship with the College Board, as she gives them firsthand knowledge of what readers are, in fact, looking for in earning top scores. Independence High School students have been able to earn college credit as a result of their performance on these exams. Additionally, our students enter college incredibly well prepared to write at the college level.
In addition to teaching AP courses, Rene also teaches concurrent credit courses through Independence Community College. Our students are able to “work once and get paid twice” so to speak. Then can not only earn their high school English credit, but they can also earn credit for English Composition I/II and Introduction to Literature and British Literature. At no other time have IHS students had the opportunity to earn as much college English credit as they currently can.
Rene not only challenges her students in the classroom, she also challenges herself. She is always tweaking her courses to reflect what is current in composition topics and in her selection of literature. Rene is not content teaching what she has taught before simply because it is easy to recycle lesson plans.
Rene also coaches the IHS dance team that wins top awards at dance camp each summer. She spends untold hours with the dancers perfecting their routines and conducting fundraisers such as their mini-dance camp experiences for elementary and middle school students. Additionally, Rene is willing to serve the profession through her membership on Building Leadership and AdvancEd teams.
Although Rene is busy making lesson plans and grading essays, she makes time to help students with college and scholarship applications. She gives them honest feedback which translates into our students earning valuable scholarship money and positions in English Honors programs.
In closing, Rene is the type of teacher every parent wants for their child, and we are genuinely blessed that our students at Independence High School get the opportunity to learn from this gifted educator!
Exceptional English Teacher!
I am not surprised that Rene would be nominated! She is a wonderful person as well and I believe she puts her all into everything she does!!
Rene Is an amazing person! Good luck to you girl!
I have worked closely with Rene Stanley the last four years, as she is the dance coach here at Independence High School and I coach cheerleading. When I was a rookie coach, she was always willing to lend a hand and offer sage advice when I needed it. I asked a lot of questions and she was always very kind and patient with me!
Rene goes above and beyond to ensure her students are equipped with the necessary skills to prepare them for post-secondary education and does so in a way that makes learning fun. As a coach she fosters discipline and leadership qualities that will help her dancers find success in all they endeavor. As a colleague, she is someone others know they can depend on and go to if ever they need help. I have great respect for Rene as both a coach and teacher. Her kindness, work ethic and leadership qualities make her a true asset to USD 446 and our school would not be the same without her.
I had Mrs. Stanley 3 out of my 4 years in high school. I loved her class and I may not have always been the best student, she was always the best teacher she could be and she’s gotten so much better since then. She did a great job of teaching the concepts in multiple ways for every student to understand and had ways of bringing unlikely friends together. She always maintained a positive attitude, even on days when she probably didn’t feel as though so could and she always made me feel valued in her classroom which is hard to find at times. I still use skills and advice from her class to this day as a college student.
Rene was my very first friend and remained one of my closest friends all through elementary school, high school, and even college. She was even one of my bridesmaids in my wedding! She is so special to me. Even though we both have busy lives now and haven’t seen each other in a few years I think of her very often. A lot of my childhood memories include her. We also went to the same church all throughout school and were able to go on mission trips together. Her heart for others along with her fun loving personality always drew people close. We spent a few nights staying up sometimes until the sun rose talking about life and the challenges that we were dealing with at the time. She always had a listening ear and I could always count on her to give me wise advice. I can’t help but smile when I think about Rene and the memories we made. As long as I’ve known her I know how passionate she is about teaching and helping her students achieve greatness. She is very involved in her career and is also a wonderful wife and mother. I couldn’t think of a better person to win this award!
Rene Stanley is not only a wonderful teacher and coach to her students and athletes, she is a truly beautiful human being inside and out. Her effervescent personality and passion for her subject can’t help but rub off onto those around her, especially her students. While I never personally had her as a teacher, unfortunately, I had the privilege to teach and coach alongside her during my tenure at IHS. I saw firsthand the excellence she demands of her students and athletes; the kind of excellence that students yearn to live up to! I am lucky to not only know Rene, I am blessed to have her as a dear friend and know that I have been changed for the better for knowing her.
Excellence does not go far enough in describing the phenomenal work Mrs. Stanley does for her school and her students. As one of her students. I know full well the lengths Mrs. Stanley goes through in not only leading us through the AP English materials, but in pushing us to our limits and beyond. The strides I've made in my writing from the two years I've had Mrs. Stanley as a teacher are striking; while I may have been a strong writer in Sophomore or Junior year, thanks to Mrs. Stanley that skill has only been developed further than I could have imagined. While her classes undoubtedly demand academic rigor, in doing so I believe she instills in each of her students a strong work ethic that proves indispensable for high school and life in general. In my many years as a student, there is no question I've had some wonderful teachers. But there are very few among them who could rival the dedication and impact of Mrs. Stanley.
Mrs. Stanley is a great English teacher and a great person.
Rene has encouraged all three of my children to pursue their dreams in college. She has had a major impact on my oldest daughter who is currently studying at a four year university to be an English professor. Rene has also had her seniors do projects that impact the school and community. A group of her seniors involved my students with disabilities in making a proposal to add a unified “Sparkle” cheerleading squad to our high school. Even though the proposal has not come to fruition, my students felt included with the rest of the school by being a part of their presentation.
Mrs. Stanley has been my English teacher for the last 2 years. I have taken college level English courses under the instruction of Mrs. Stanley and have been punched intellectually to improve my skills and knowledge of literature.
Mrs. Stanley has been my dance coach at IHS for two years now. Not only does she coach me, but she mothers me too. She always makes sure her dancers are doing well. She has made my dance team experience wonderful. I always walk by her classroom in the halls, and she always has nothing but a smile on her face. She is someone I look up to. Mrs. Stanley is more than deserving of this award.
I’ve had the pleasure of learning under Mrs. Stanley for the last two years and cannot express how influential she has been upon all of us in the AP track as well as those in her college level classes. While she works to help us become better writers and analyze literature she also breaks it down and spends time where it is needed. She has been a great teacher in these last two years and is one of the most influential teachers i’ve had to date.
Mrs. Stanley’s classes were by far the hardest classes I had to take in high school. However, I never once dreaded to go to her class. Mrs. Stanley made learning fun, even when the topics were difficult. Her ability to connect with her students, no matter their skill level, is no easy task; and, yet, Mrs. Stanley continues to do this everyday. Her classroom was not only a place for learning for me, but a safe place to talk, to listen, and to ask for help. She is available to her students. She wants to see them succeed. And, she is just genuinely a nice person. I am lucky to have had her as a teacher for 2 years, and I know that so many of her other students feel the same way. She is truly deserving of this award.
I have had Mrs. Stanley for two years and I have learned so much from her. English is a subject I struggle a little with in school, but Mrs. Stanley has been able to help me in gaining a greater understanding of the subject. She truly has a gift for adapting to all of her students needs. She is always willing to put in some extra time to help a student who is struggling. She is one the few teachers I have had that still have a true love of teaching. Not only does she encourage me to be better in her classroom but to be a better person and she believes in me even when I can’t believe in myself. She is such an inspiration and I’m truly grateful to know her.
Mrs. Stanley was the most impactful teacher during my time at IHS. English was my weakest subjects and was holding me back on ACT score improvement and potential for more scholarships and getting into college. Throughout my junior and senior year Mrs. Stanley went above and beyond to not only take extra time out of her day but in class to go over assignments with me and slow down and make sure I understood why this was the correct answer. Through her help my ACT score went up tremendously and helped me secure scholarships at college. Her lessons have stuck with me at college and have countless times helped me in typing papers and I always know that if I need help she is there to offer a helping hand!
I have had Mrs. Stanley for two years and I have learned so much from her. English is a subject I struggle a little with in school, but Mrs. Stanley has been able to help me in gaining a greater understanding of the subject. She truly has a gift for adapting to all of her students needs. She is always willing to put in some extra time to help a student who is struggling. Also she is one the few teachers I have had that still have a true love of teaching. Not only does she encourage me to be better in her classroom but to be a better person and she believes in me even when I can’t believe in myself. She is such an inspiration and I’m truly grateful to know her.
I gained the distinct pleasure of meeting Mrs. Stanley while on the scholars' bowl team she sponsored at Independence High School, then again as a student in her sophomore English class. To this day she remains a thoughtful friend whom I hold dear. As a scholars' bowl sponsor, she played an integral role in helping to resolve an interpersonal conflict that I had been struggling with for quite some time. As a teacher, she fostered my writing career in ways that few teachers have, providing feedback and encouragement on smaller writing projects and urging me to continue writing outside of school. I would not be an author today had it not been for Rene Stanley and her passion for her students and her gift for helping others find the best in themselves.
Rene Stanley's heart for service goes far beyond her work in Kansas. She has also served in the educational missions field for one summer each in China, Tanzania, and Kazakhstan. Not many high school teachers are willing to give up their summer vacation, but this speaks to the true heart for service that Mrs. Stanley embodies.
Rene Stanley leads a life devoted to her values of service, humility, and kindness. I cannot think of a single person I have ever met who would deserve this award more.
Mrs. Stanley is a completely unique teacher. In my 11 years of public school, I have never met a teacher more capable of genuinely reaching their students; she was the first to actually teach me how to use a semicolon! This is currently my first year with her, and I can already feel the tremendous impact a passionate teacher has on my attitudes toward English and writing.
Mrs. Stanley was perhaps the most influential figure in my high-school career. It was due to her stellar teaching and encouraging attitude that I decided to pursue my major (Creative Writing) in University, despite the stigma against fine art majors. Even now, as I take advanced classes in the English Department at Pitt State University, I see the results of the marvelous education she afforded me. I know how to find meter, how to identify repeated motifs and how to write in a style fit for the collegiate level. Without this training, I would be far behind where I feel I should be. Thanks, Mrs. Stanley!
Stan is a fantastic English teacher!
I have had Mrs. Stanley for two years. She is one of my favorite teachers because she has a teaching style that everyone can learn from. She is willing to adapt to her students pace while still pushing them to do their best. Not only is she a great teacher, but she is also a great person that cares about each of her students. She makes her classes enjoyable to attend and a lot of people learn a lot from her classes.
Mrs. Stanley is by far one of the best teachers I have had the pleasure of learning under. Not only does she understand each student's position in the classroom, but she works to make us better writers every day. Although sometimes it feels like our essays are being torn apart, Mrs. Stanley only ever strives to push us to become elevated writers. Not only does she encourage us in the classroom, but she also works diligently on the field with the IHS Dance Team. She choreographs each routine and even helps students outside the Dance Team who need assistance. On multiple occasions Mrs. Stanley has offered her expertise, helping students with their talents for pageants, choreographing dances for the school play, and teaching students the basics of all different dance styles. Overall, Mrs. Stanley truly fits the description to which this award signifies. Not only has she changed my life for the better, but she changes the lives of each and everyone who steps foot in her classroom.
Mrs. Stanley has been one of my most influential teachers in high school. She taught me how to write a proper essay, which has helped me in many classes like Government and whenever I have to write a lab report. She deserves recognition for how hard she works every day. Thanks Mrs. Stanley for being a great influence in my future as a student and adult.
I had Mrs. Stanley my sophomore year 12 years ago in high school at independence high school. Through school I was always an average student in English. I always made good grades because I always turned my assignments in and did them to the best of my ability but, I never truly felt like I understood most of the material. That was until I had Mrs. Stanley in class. I can honestly say I learned more about English and writing correctly in Mrs. Stanley’s class than I did in any other high school english class or college English course. She is a great teacher who knows her content very well. The kids of Independence high school are very lucky to have such a talented and inspirational teacher as her!
Rene Stanley is an amazing teacher, as I am sure you all have heard. She is very focused on helping her students in the way that they need, building strengths where there are weaknesses, strengthening those talents that already lay in each student. If you need evidence, look at the comments of students previously had. You can see that they are capable and proficient writers, much of which is due to Mrs. Stanley. Her control of the English language is amazing, and her ability to understand where a student is coming from is an integral part of being a teacher. She understands where students are, and where they could be. She sees potential where others see a lost cause. As one of her former students, I truly enjoyed her. She was able to come up with answers to my very off-based questions, but on the flip side could and did defend different things I noticed in literary works. Because of Mrs.Stanley, I have considered becoming a literary teacher. I loved books before I took any class with her, but only after being one of her pupils, can I truly say that I appreciate them.
Mrs. Stanley was my coach for four years and my AP english teacher for two years. My freshman year was when Rene began coaching for the IHS dance team. The effect that she has had in my life is unexplainable. In school, I apply all of the knowledge she has given me about analyzing a reading and writing a paper. In dance, I can still hear her telling me that I can do even better and to push harder. In life, she made me look at life a different way. This world is a much more beautiful place with Mrs. Stanley in it. Even though I have been out of high school for two years, she still checks up on me. I am so blessed to have met and been mentored by Rene.
I’ve known Rene for about 10 years. We met through my husband (who was a friend at the time) when we were in college. She has a servants heart and will do anything for anyone! I specifically remember her helping my husband with his papers, essays, poems, etc when we were in college. She is such a talented writer and has helped so many people throughout her career.
She is an amazing wife, mom and friend. She loves her boys with all her heart and gives them the time and attention they deserve all while helping her students, school, colleagues, friends and so much more.
After her most recent baby, she went out of state just 2 weeks after having him to help grade essays! Now that’s dedication!
As a friend, she’s always there when needed. She send random messages just to check in to make sure I’m doing ok and is always encouraging me and my family. She would literally give you the shirt off her back no matter the situation. If anyone deserves this award it’s Rene! So proud of her and what she’s doing!
Mrs. Stanley was one of my favorite teachers in high school (despite the fact that I was late getting back to her class from lunch nearly every day my senior year). She was able to create a space in her classroom that was both fun and encouraging of failure for the sake of growth- she didn’t pit students against one another, she listened and responded with compassion, and her wry sense of humor wound it’s way throughout each lesson. I learned so much about essay structure, literary analysis, and creation of a moving narrative (things that have served me well as far as accruing scholarships, getting into medical school, and drafting a truly incredible email explaining- in gorgeous, dactylic prose- why I deserve a full refund for some electronic I have inevitably sat on and broken).
More than technical skills, Mrs. Stanley was able to communicate a true love and respect for literature to us (Wuthering Heights is exactly as dramatic and absurd as Love Island, yet endorsing only one of those will get me any academic clout), and ensured we all engaged with the pieces in ways that were formative. I still read, constantly- books tucked into my bag for the train or to sneak on my lunch break- and it’s a pleasure that’s been essential for my growth and enjoyment of life. I was always made to feel as though my perspective and voice mattered in her class, even though in retrospect I assure you I had very little that was constructive or interesting to say (but many, multi-faceted opinions on Breaking Bad). When I wrote assignments, I frequently felt like I was writing to her because I respected her and wanted her thoughts, not for the class- and it changed my writing for the better. I could do poorly in front of her and know she would help me construct something better.
She’s a great teacher, and a better person. She’s kind. She listens. She is personally responsible for my annual crisis of self when I mourn the fact that I was not a literature major. She changed my life for the better, and I will never have the language to thank her enough.
I have had Mrs. Stanley for two years. She makes sure that everyone in the class understands the topic, and she will even answer the random questions that her students think of. Mrs. Stanley would willingly help any student with an essay for another class because her feedback is very helpful. Even when kids think about dropping out of her English class, she finds some way to draw them back in and finish the year in her class. All of her hard work shows, and this award will show her exactly how many people appreciate what she does for them.
Mrs. Stanley has been my dance coach for 2 years at IHS. She has been an amazing mentor during my years at high school. She is always so supportive and cares about her students tremendously. I could not imagine a better recipient for this award. Mrs. Stanley has truly impacted my life in many amazing ways. ??
I graduated from Independence High School in 2015. When asked about influential educators from my past, I will always bring up Mrs. Stanley.
Mrs. Stanley holds high expectations and leads by example. Every student walks away with not only stronger academics, but a better understanding of what it means to serve others.
Mrs. Stanley does not simply come to work each day to teach. She comes to work each day and bonds with her students, showing them a kindness many of them will not receive at home. I believe the relationship and rapport she builds with each student is the key to her success as a life-changing educator.
She knows her students well enough to understand what motivates them, what makes them feel supported, and how to push them toward success. She understands not every student is the same, and has high, yet appropriate, expectations for everyone.
A positive example to so many students, Mrs. Stanley demonstrates kindness, respect, a dedication to teaching, and a desire to serve.
As a former student I can say Mrs. Stanley not only prepared me for college but taught me leadership skills, helped me build confidence in my writing, and gave me confidence in my academic ability.
Mrs. Stanley is a life-changing educator because of the relationships she builds, her dedication to others success, her willingness to serve, and the example she sets for so many kids each day. I will always consider myself lucky to have been Mrs. Stanley’s student.
I had the opportunity to have Mrs. Stanley for Composition I and II, and she was my coach for dance team all four years of high school. Mrs. Stanley had one of the biggest impacts on my high school education and that is continuing into my college years, too. Without her, I would not be able to analyze and interpret pieces of literature in the way I do or be the writer I am today. I will forever be grateful for Mrs. Stanley and the way she pushed her students to think outside the box and expand our ways of thinking. Before taking an English class with Mrs. Stanley, it was not one of my favorite subjects, and with her passion and dedication to the subject, it truly has made me realize how rewarding and exciting the world of literature can be, and even made me want to take another literature course in college. Mrs. Stanley is more than just an extraordinary teacher, she is truly a role model who I will always look up too. If I needed someone to talk to, she was always there and truly cared about her students not only academically, but on a personal level, too. She was always there to offer advice and post-high school, I know if I need help or need some advice she will always be there to voice her thoughts. Having Mrs. Stanley as a dance coach for four years also allowed me to know her on a closer level. She always made practices fun, she pushed us to be our absolute best, and to make sure we were having fun while doing it. I will always be thankful for you Mrs. Stanley, and you deserve this because you truly are a life changer!
Rene Stanley was once my English teacher. During the year she not only helped me passed her class by staying late to help where it was needed but she also helped me get through personal issues at home. She was one of my favorite teachers and she never let me think down on myself. She lifted up spirits and will do anything in her power to help her students succeed! My senior year she helped get a college scholarship to CCC and she told me about the several scholarships that our school offered to help kids get started on their career, after she brought the knowledge to my attention to apply, I had received five different ones that ranged from $200-$1000. Without her beliefs in me and the potential she new I had, I wouldn’t be where I am without her. She helped me during a time I needed someone most! I couldn’t be more thankful for god blessing us with a person like her to walk this earth ??
Rene Stanley changes lives every day and my granddaughter is one of the lucky students to have this Life Changer as her teacher, mentor, and friend. Rene speaks to the needs of each student and raises them up, higher than they ever thought possible. Thank you Rene for instilling in my grandchild a love of words, books, and writing, as well as teaching her how to work with others as a team and to think and question on her own. You’ve got our family’s vote for Life Changer of the Year Mrs. Rene Stanley.
I had the pleasure of being in Mrs. Stanley’s AP Language, Intro to Literature, and AP Literature classes. I can say with full confidence that Mrs. Stanley’s teaching had the biggest effect on my education throughout high school. She completely changed my approach and perspective of English and the way I analyzed and evaluated works of literature. She gave me writing skills that will not only help me in school, but for the rest of my life. After taking a year of Mrs. Stanley’s class, my ACT score in english improved from a 23 to a 32, and my reading score from a 26 to a 35. These improvements helped me to receive a substantial scholarship from my dream school. Mrs. Stanley has had an incredible impact on my life and education. She made class enjoyable and pushed us to make improvements everyday. Not only is she a great teacher but she’s a great person too. She cares about every student in her class, their education and their well-being. She always made me feel comfortable and welcomed. I will forever be thankful for Mrs. Stanley.
I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Stanley as a teacher for both AP Language and AP Literature. Mrs. Stanley’s classes were simultaneously challenging and enjoyable, a rare combination. I believe she is able to foster this dynamic in the classroom because she enjoys her job and challenges herself to always improve too. The many unique types of assignments, projects, and approaches to reading and analyzing literature keep her classes engaging and causes her students to think in different ways. On a personal note, before taking a class with Mrs. Stanley my English and Reading ACT scores were 23 and 24 respectively. After I had her as a teacher my scores improved to 33 and 32 and helped me get a much better scholarship in college which objectively changed my life significantly. Most of what I have mentioned so far has been about Mrs. Stanley the teacher, but she is an equally great person. She is extremely approachable and always willing to give you the time of day. Mrs. Stanley’s love for her students is why she is a life changer for me and so many others and why she will continue to be a life changer for many years to come.
I had the pleasure of having Mrs. Stanley for two years in high school. The first time I was in Advanced English, and the second time I opted to enroll in the regular English class. Having witnessed her in both settings, I can say that Mrs. Stanley challenged everyone to be better despite their skill-level. She is definitely a great person, but as a former student, I feel like one of the best testimonies I can give is how well she equipped me for life after high school. I've always said that if I had to pick one teacher that prepared me the most for college, it would be Mrs. Stanley. The skills she helped me develop have also helped me tremendously in my professional life. I never felt like I was that great at writing, but I quickly found myself as the company go-to for help proofing and editing documents, emails, presentations, etc. This happened so frequently that it became a permanent and very large part of my job. Whenever anyone comments on my writing ability, I always respond "I just had a good English teacher!"
The first name that comes to mind when asked the question, who has changed your life in a way you never expected? Is Mrs.Rene Stanley. The 2 years that I had her as a student caused me to completely reevaluate what I thought about not only English as a class, but the entire concept of writing. Mrs.Stanley challenged us to achieve insight beyond the sentences and semicolons on the page, and in doing so opened up an entire new avenue of learning that would never seem possible from simply reading a book or writing an essay for a short prompt. Now only one year removed from her class I recently decided to pursue writing in my major (written journalism) so that I can continue to find that insight and deepness of thought that she taught myself and my fellow students to look for in every form of media and hopefully one day achieve a little bit of depth myself. Without a doubt, Mrs.Stanley has changed my life not through writing, but changed my entire thought process and I will forever be indebted to her.
I had Mrs. Stanley for not only my Ap English courses, but I also had her all four years of high school for advisory, which means she was the one teacher I saw almost everyday of my high school career. I would say by the end of my freshman year she probably new me better than a majority of my friends, she knew when I wasn’t having the best day the moment I walked in the door. I could just sit at her desk, and by the time I left, be either in a better mood, or a better person, because she was willing to talk me through anything I brought to her. After multiple years of being in her classes I realized she had this level of care for a majority of the students who walked through the door, and it always fascinated me the way she would interact with those students. When I watched her talk to these students I saw care for them, I saw respect for them, and I saw a passion for their future and student careers. She would say everything within her knowledge to better the student. She is by far one of the smartest women I know, and to see her have so much passion for all the students and coworkers in her life, to treat them on an even playing field with care and respect, that changed something in me. More importantly than all the rhetoric and English she taught me, she taught me the importance of being a better, supportive, passionate, responsible person. She made it clear in her teaching and her example, that there has to be a greater good to what you do, and her actions always reflected that. Her example and teaching showed many students these aspects and changed their lives for the better everyday. If she’s not worthy of the title life changer of the year, I’m not sure I know another person who is, however, I do know she doesn’t get discouraged easily, and she will certainly continue to change lives on the daily after this no matter the outcome. It’s an honor to share this about her and let me give testimony as to why she is a true life changer.
Mrs Stanley is most definitely an incredible teacher who genuinely cares about her students. I have had the privilege of being in her AP classes for two years. While these classes have been rigorous, they have been incredibly helpful for all of my classes and I have learned so much from her. The skills I have learned in her class have been and will continue to be important in any situation I may encounter as I enter college. I have learned how to write many different types of essays and how to pass multiple choice exams but I’ve also learned how to be a hard worker and to not give up just because I don’t understand something. Her class is one of my favorites and I look forward to it every day. She deserves this award because while she is an incredible teacher, she’s an even better person and I can’t think of anyone else who deserves this award more.
Mrs. Stanley was one of the best teachers I have ever had still to this day. She is superwoman! Being a wonderful mother, a wonderful dance team coach, and still managing to be a positive influence in every student she crosses paths with. I have very few teachers in my life that I still thank to this day and Mrs. Stanley is one of them. Thank you for giving your heart and soul to your job, Rene!
The best decision I have ever made was to take advanced placement English courses, specifically from Mrs. Stanley. She motivates students to try their best, and pushes for their success, Ive never seen her not believe in one of her students.
As a Sophomore in college, I have been able to use the concepts I learned in her classes to help my fellow peers out with tutoring. Mrs. Stanley always pushes the envelope on students knowing that they could do more, and always encouraged students with their ideas - no matter how absurd - I could not think of anyone more deserving of this award than her.
Rene Stanley is so deserving of Life-Changer of the Year recognition! As a colleague, I have seen her in action in her classroom from time to time, but we are in different departments so those opportunities are few and far between. What really sets Rene apart are the comments I hear students make about her. They respect her despite the challenging nature of her classes; I would say some of them are even awed by what they accomplish as a result of her constantly pushing them to do more than they think they can. Rene expects integrity from her students and her dancers, and she models all the characteristics we hope our children will possess. I hope when my own kids reach high school they will have the opportunity to become better learners and better versions of themselves within Rene's classroom.
I had the privilege to be a Para in Rene’s class when she first worked at IHS. She really challenged the students to do their best. I was challenged myself to read more even as an adult. When she left, to further her career, I was sad to see her go but I was happy she was continuing her education because it’s what she was trying to instill on her students. When Rene came back to IHS I was super excited and hoped our students would have the honor of having her as their English teach. As it turns out I was able to be in her English 12 class for a semester. Again she brought her ‘A’ game and along with the students I left her class with more knowledge and more love for reading. Rene not only teaches English but she is also the IHS Dance coach and encouraged me to enroll my son who was 6 at the time. Not many boys do dance and my son was 1 of 2 that join the team for that year, and more boys enrolled then next year. She is so encouraging to her students, colleagues and friends because she sees potential in everyone. She is a true life changer, I'm blessed to know her.
I was impressed with Rene from the start; however, it was witnessing her hold a parent/teacher conference that spoke the most to me. A parent approached Rene’s table with concern, and I just held my breath, waiting for the verbal onslaught all teachers dread. But that didn’t happen. Rene greeted the parent with a smile and followed it with, “This is good. This is good stuff. Let’s talk about it.” She didn’t tuck her tail between her legs and take a tongue lashing. She stuck to her morals and trudged through the difficulties to get the job done. After I picked my jaw off the floor, I realized just how dedicated Rene is to being an effective teacher. True dedication is putting the job before one’s self. Rene does this effortlessly.
In addition to dedication, Rene is also incredibly driven. We all take the classes and pass the tests to make it into a classroom, but Rene takes being a teacher to another level. She quickly earned her Masters degree and began climbing the ladder of underclassmen and standard curricula to reach her goal of teaching Advanced Placement and concurrent credit courses. That was her goal and she reached it. From her, I have learned to make career goals and work to achieve them.
Rene is also extremely knowledgeable in her content area, English Language Arts. If I have an English-related question, I ask her. She always wants to teach our students to read and write at the highest level possible, and she makes the arduous process look easy. She always seems to ask herself the right question: How can I help my students find the most success? Keeping her reading material, writing prompts, and class projects lively and relevant, she inevitably finds the success she seeks. The students graduating from IHS are better writers than I saw in college. I know a majority of this work happens in Rene’s classroom. I see students when they are freshmen, and I watch them evolve. This evolution would not happen without Rene Stanley in our district.
Rene Stanley is a true life changer.
Not only does Rene do an amazing job in class supporting her students but she also sponsors our dance team at IHS. Recently, she has been helping with choreography for our musicals and the students are very excited to work with her and vice versa. She volunteers time to share her talents with students. I have had the opportunity to watch some of her lessons and they are always engaging. I am proud to have Rene as a colleague.
As a co-worker of Mrs. Stanley, she is truly exceptional. She is very easy to work with and always allows me to come into her class for presentations when needed. It's amazing how she is able to balance students with challenging them and holding them accountable. Students love her, parents respect her and colleagues want to learn from her. The scores of her students are a direct reflection of her amazing ability to reach students and challenge their thinking. She does not let them get off by doing the bare minimum but holds them to a high standard that helps students learn to form a growth mindset. IHS is so lucky to have a teacher like Mrs. Stanley. My favorite thing that she does is student presentations, where students think about a change they would make at IHS and they then present that. Its amazing how this process gives relevant feeling to the students work and changes have come through this process. I love that our students are empowered to make change and see that they can make change, this helps with our overall school culture. Thank you, Mrs. Stanley for your work and changing these students lives, its very evident that you make a great impact. I can't wait for my kids to have you!
Mrs. Stanley truly is an excellent role model for students at Independence High School. I had her one year for English comp 1 and 2. During this year, I was filled with knowledge I still use today in every essay I write. Because of her, I felt compelled to take many advanced classes this year including five online college courses over the summer. Not only is Mrs. Stanley an excellent teacher, but a mentor for everyone in her classes. She takes time to read through everyone of her students essays and make sure the students understand the coursework. No one is more deserving of this award than her!
Rene And I went to high school together. We have probably not seen or talked to each other since our 10 year class reunion and to think it is now close to our 20 year union, Wow!
The reason I share this is because 3 years ago, Rene reached out to me on Facebook. She shared a story about a student that was in her English class interested in going into Restaurant and Hotel Management. This student’s assignment was to research and interview an individual with this degree/job. Rene went above and beyond to connect this student to me. The student was able to personally email me and get the information she needed. Rene didn’t have to spend her time tracking me down, finding me, asking me, but she did. She did this for her student. Not only did this impact the student , this impacted me. What an amazing teacher to really be resourceful and passionate for her students. I am glad to see Rene in the running. You deserve it!
Congratulations on your nomination! What a great accomplishment to be rewarded for all your hard work both inside the classroom and in many lives! Either way you are special to us and many others! You are an Awesome person and a wonderful sister-in-law!
I have had the honor of calling Rene a friend for about 15 years now, and I’m not sure I can put into words how special of a person she truly is. She is thoughtful, kind and nurturing in ways I wish to be, always making others feel truly seen and heard. She is creative and her visions come to life in the most beautiful and well orchestrated ways. Rene has 3 younger siblings, and I’ve seen the way that they look up to her, the ways that they imitate her, and the ways that they cherish her. Those of us that know Rene know how lucky we are to have her in our lives. I have no doubt that she deserves this award!
Mrs. Stanley was absolutely without a doubt the best english teacher I have ever had the pleasure of having!! She always made class fun and helped every single student every single day. She never left a question unanswered and was just exactly what our high school needs to help us succeed.
I have had the pleasure of having Mrs. Stanley as an AP English teacher for both my junior and senior years of high school. Her drive and determination is unparalleled. She goes above and beyond to ensure the success of her students and is an admirable mentor to all those who are lucky enough to have her in class. Her belief in the capabilities of each individual who walks through her door is enough to instill confidence and determination into those who may not have had it prior to encountering this wonderful human being. Her kindness, positivity, and enthusiasm make class much more enjoyable, and ultimately aids in the process of absorbing all of the information necessary to excel in not only her English class, but any and every English class to follow. Mrs. Stanley’s faith in my potential has stuck with me since I graduated from Independence High School, and as a result I am now back in school and maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Mrs. Stanley, thank you. My admiration for you has never faltered.
I’ve been waiting for a public platform to brag about this woman for YEARS and here we are. I know you guys will make the right choice on LifeChanger of the Year, but just in case you need some convincing. Here are my thoughts from a recent essay I wrote. The topic was one of the most impactful people in your life, and with absolutely no hesitation Rene Stanley was my first thought. My response: Educators matter. There is no single person, besides parents, that will impact your life course as much as the teachers you encounter. Think of all the 20 somethings so set on their college or career path, only to find out six majors later they don’t have it all figured out. I had the opportunity and absolute pleasure to have Rene Stanley, or “Stan”, as her students refer to her, for several years as my High School teacher and coach.
Stanley started as my teacher. She was and still is witty, brilliant and fun. A younger teacher, she could easily connect and relate with just about any student. Stanley had a sort of effortless persona that made the bad kids listen and the good kids try harder.
Besides the logistics of language, she taught me the value of working hard. While in other classes I had mastered the craft of putting in ‘just enough’ effort, I soon learned that would not cut it with her. In fact, one of her rules was that essays must be hand written, because ‘at least if you cheat, you have to write it out’. Old school morals with a modern perspective, I soon got involved in any activity she headed. Through her tough love and emphasis on character, my writing and personal growth began evolving for the better.
Later, Rene became my coach. She balanced fun with discipline, and as a dancer I had never worked harder - even if it probably didn't seem like it. Rene was phenomenal at setting high expectations, and then providing the tools to succeed in them.
Additionally, I lost my mother as a child, and Rene unfortunately shared the same tragedy in her youth. In my eyes this validated a bond with a woman I admired dearly and something others could not understand. I was thankful for and cherished this connection, something that felt so unbearable now felt normalized in a way. Her energy and actions taught me that all loss can lead to growth. Life moves on and it betters you in its’ course.
While I am just one of many students bettered by her efforts, she was a pivotal factor in my becoming a competent member of society. The transition to college was effortless, as she taught me to present and write in an eloquent manner. When other students fell behind from larger course loads, I was ready and prepared with all materials. I could have even completed them hand written. To this day if I need advice or a role model, I look to Rene Stanley. She, and so many other brilliant teachers, are the reasons educators matter and I’m lucky to have felt her impact in those years and for the years to come.”
That’s the end of my essay, but not the end of the impact she’s had. Rene will forever be someone I look up to. Regardless of if you announce her “Lifechanger of the Year”, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind she is one. Thankful if nothing else she can see these comments and understand all she’s done. We love and appreciate you, Stan!
Let me start by saying that I cannot think of a better candidate for this award. I took both AP Language and AP Literature with Mrs. Stanley, and during that time was lucky enough to get to know her and her family. They were (and continue to be) some of my biggest supporters. Mrs. Stanley expects the best from each of her students, and I feel her explanations always pushed me to give my best effort. She truly cares about the success of her students, both inside and outside of the classroom. More than any of that, though, is the passion she has for what she does. It astounded me how excited she got talking about a piece of literature, and I will always remember the look of amazement on her face when discussing some sort of clever insight into a piece. This is the kind of passion she tries to bring out in each of her students, even if it is not necessarily related to her content. Her commitment to AP is even further proof of her passion, as she scores for the AP exam every year (this year going not long after giving birth), and thoroughly enjoys her time doing it. Mrs. Stanley has always been there to listen, give advice, and cheer me on no matter the occasion. I am sincerely grateful to have met and had the opportunity to learn from such an astounding woman as Mrs. Stanley, and I know that regardless of whether or not she receives this award, she will continue to do all of these things- and so much more- for the sake of her students.
Mrs. Stanley is an amazing teacher and person to rely on. I was part of her freshman class when she returned to IHS and can remember her going through so much over the years. While providing the best classroom experience she was also real with us. She allows her students to know that they are human but also capable of so much. She helped me find my love for writing and pushed my classmates and myself to our full potential and never let us give up. Rene Stanley deserves the recognition and ability to further help her student.
Mrs. Stanley is the one of the best teachers I have ever had. She pushes her students to do their best, always encourages them, and is always there when they need help. She loves what she does and you can tell. I am so fortunate to have had her as a teacher.
Rene is my daughter-in-law. I've known her for 9 years. Rene is a dedicated teacher for her students and cares about challenging them to be at their highest potential. She is a professional educator and serves in many capacities for the betterment of children. I know she loves her profession and wishes to touch the lives of the children she has the privilege to teach in a positive way. Rene has the respect of students and colleagues alike, that's a huge testament of who she is.
Rene has been such a big part of so many lives and the impact she has is always a positive one. Whether it be in the classroom making lifelong connections with students or with the friends and family lucky enough to know her, Rene is a life changer. When it comes to teaching, Rene builds a relationship with students that not many can. She challenges students daily to help them realize their potential and I have heard many of her past students say they couldn’t have gotten to where they are without her help. Even after graduating, student always return to see Mrs. Stanley and update her on their success.
My relationship with her is different. As Rene’s younger sister I have always looked up to her, but she took on roles other than “big sister”. Rene has worked hard to keep our family functioning normally. After our mom was diagnosed, Rene immediately stepped up. This made a childhood that could have been so confusing, much easier. She continues to take on the motherly duties she doesn’t have to all while being an amazing mom, sister, aunt, daughter, wife, and my best friend. I, with so many others, are grateful daily she is a part of our lives.
I met Renee when she was a Graduate student at Pittsburg State University where my son was attending. Her boyfriend, now husband is my son’s best friend so one memory I have of Renee is helping my son when he was having issues with an English class paper. She reviewed it for him to help him figure out where he needed improvement. I believe her nurturing spirit is what makes her a #lcoy!!
I had the honor of having Mrs. Stanley as my English teacher for both my junior and senior years of high school. Her drive and determination to put forth a change into the lives of every student whom walks through her door is unparalleled. She goes the extra mile and puts forth an immense amount of effort to ensure the success of her students. Her belief in the capabilities of each individual pupil establishes a feeling of confidence and motivation that these young, impressionable students may not have had before.
Mrs. Stanley absolutely changed my life. She is truly one of a kind and deserves so much recognition! Love you lots!
Mrs. Stanley goes above and beyond all year for her students. I was lucky enough to be in her classroom for two years as an AP student, but that is not even where Mrs. Stanley's help stopped. Even years after graduating from IHS I have repeatedly reached out to Mrs. Stanley for her advice and assistance. Her class not only greatly improved my writing and testing skills, it also changed my perspective of education itself. In Mrs. Stanley's class, unlike all other classes I was taking at the time, I was required to conduct research and look into subjects on an introspective level. She held study sessions, practice tests, and writing workshops outside of the school day. Mrs. Stanley was always finding new ways to spike the interest and creativeness of students. Overall, Mrs. Stanley is the best teacher I have ever encountered. She is singlehandedly the reason I have thrived in college writing numerous research papers, scored well on the LSAT which requires extensive critical thinking, and why I beleive I can extend my education and career to the highest level. Thank you Mrs. Stanley, you truly are a life changer.
Mrs. Stanley was my english teacher for 1 year and my dance team coach for 3 years. She was easily the best english teacher I ever had. I am not a fan of english but going to her class made it more enjoyable and I learned more in that 1 year than all of my past english classes combined. She balanced being challenging but also making sure we weren’t left in the dust with assignments, essays, and class in general. She was also my favorite dance coach. She made practice fun and engaging but also made sure we worked hard and stayed on track. We were obviously not perfect and our dances never were, but she made she we were as close to that as possible. I am forever grateful to have gotten to know Stanley and to have been her student and dancer. She deserves this more than anyone I know.
I was fortunate to be a member of Rene's inaugural class at Independence High School. Her talent was obvious even in her first year of teaching; she always had unique lesson plans and found exciting ways to encourage students to connect with the material at hand. When Julius Caesar was being discussed she hosted a toga party in her classroom and open mic nights for her Creative Writing classes were always a hit. I am not surprised, but am so happy for Rene's continued success and her advancement of the English program at my alma mater.
Rene was also a constant source of encouragement outside of the classroom. Before her impressive work with the dance team, Rene was the co-sponsor for the Scholars' Bowl team of which I was a member. She devoted countless hours to helping prepare us for tournaments and then to drive us throughout the region to attend them. Some of my fondest memories and greatest friendships were forged thanks to her efforts. She was also a great advisor as I began to prepare for life after high school. She was always willing to give professional advice and wrote several recommendation letters as I began applying to universities.
I am glad that Rene has the opportunity to be recognized as the life-changing influence that she has been for so many years and for so many students.
I was fortunate enough to have Mrs. Stanley for an advisory teacher for four years and taking four English courses, both AP and college, from her over two years at Independence High School. I believe that she is so deserving of the “Life Changer of the Year” award. Mrs. Stanley never stops encouraging and pushing her students to strive for excellence, whether it’s on something as simple as finishing a paper on time or setting up practice tests for the AP exams. She uses her experience to push her students to understand English, literature, and hard work in a new spectrum, and goes above and beyond in teaching it. Mrs. Stanley may not convince everyone student to be an English major, or an education major, but she teaches her students the importance of knowing the subjects she teaches in their everyday life, even if it is just citing a source for their paper in college or graduate school. Mrs. Stanley connects to her students on a new level and is purposeful in her teaching. While getting this award will not change how Mrs. Stanley‘s love for literature and teaching or her hard work and efforts, it will show her that she has changed so many of her students and left a lasting impact on them. I am so thankful for the opportunities taking Mrs. Stanley’s classes gave me and for the opportunity to consider Mrs. Stanley a lifelong mentor and friend.
As a former student and IHS Dance team member of Mrs.Stanley I can say she fulfills and exceeds the title of Life Changing. Even in my trying moments she was the one to push me to strive for better, never letting me give up, and always being a listening ear. Her love for literature goes above and beyond. Even so that she finds such unique ways to teach, so that every student understands and can take something from that lesson. She has always been my go to person. Mrs.Stanley has ALWAYS supported me. I have been out of high school since 2016, and I can still call or message her saying, “is this worded correctly” or “can you write me a recommendation letter for nursing school,” and she is right on it always. She is one of the reasons I am where I am today. Her passion doesn’t just end with one student, my younger brother had her in class as well and he says, “Mrs.Stanley never gave up on me, even when I had already gave up on myself and graduating, she was right there with helping hands and encouragement.” Mrs. Stanley, continues to be the life changer year after year for each and every one of her students. This is why I conclude that she is the most deserving for this title. I don’t think I’ve told you enough but thank you for everything Mrs. Stanley!
Mrs. Stanley, or Stan, is so incredibly deserving of such a title of “Life Changer”. In high school, I took every class I could possible take from her and became president of our pep club, which she was in charge of. She is a total joy to be around and learn from. She taught me so much about Shakespeare, MLA format and most importantly thesis statements. She challenged me and my classmates to be the best writers and students she knew we could be. High school students are no easy group of children to not only teach, but truly connect to. Stan did so with ease, humor and the best handwriting in the Midwest. She always had something new up her sleeve and somehow made some of the most mundane objectives interesting and exciting to be learning about. Stan does so much more than just tailor her students to be master essay writers, she truly changes lives. Her joy and passion for teaching and literature are so obvious that you can’t help but also be excited about something like The Canterbury Tales. I consider her a friend and know that I am lucky to have had her as a teacher. She is, with no question, who I will go to when I need help writing essays to get into graduate school. She is the first teacher I came back to visit when I moved across the U.S. She is a person I wholeheartedly look up to.
Mrs. Stanley has been positively impacting my educational career as well as my personal life ever since I was a 14 year old high school freshman. I had the privelage of being in her freshman English class as well as her senior AP English class. Her influence reaches far beyond the classroom. Without Mrs. Stanley’s inspiring teaching style and true compassion I would not be the educator I am today. I am in my second year of teaching and am currently working on my second masters degree, she is one of the main reasons I am passionate about life long learning. She most definitely fostered a love of learning in me and showed me the importance of seeing students as individuals first. Her enthusiasm is contagious and I try to embody her everyday in my own classroom. I cannot think of any teacher or professor I’ve encountered that deserves this recognition more than Mrs. Stanley. She has without a doubt changed my life for the better, and I’m beyond lucky to have her as a mentor, role model, and friend.
Mrs. Stanley very much deserves recognition for the lives she has changed over the years through her many roles. She was my English teacher a very short 6 years ago, but her impact on my life did not stop there.
Mrs. Stanley sees her students' potential. Before I took her class, I could not write a descent essay to save my life. As my teacher, Mrs. Stanley challenged and inspired me to become a better writer with her thoughtful and engaging prompts. I am very science-brained, however, she single-handedly fostered my love for writing. This helped me IMMENSELY through my undergraduate degree and, most importantly, be successfully admitted into graduate school with a very essay-heavy application. I honestly do not think I would be where I am today - getting my doctorate, without Mrs. Stanley.
A unique quality Mrs. Stanley possesses is her knack to stay in-touch with students even after they leave her classroom. She has written many amazing recommendation letters over the years, resulting in her students being awarded numerous grants and scholarships. This attribute is incredibly important in an under-served community, like Independence. Many students at IHS do not have the ability to attend college without these awards.
With or without the title of "Life Changer of The Year" does not change the impact Mrs. Stanley has made on every student that has entered her classroom. However, the recognition would signify her efforts of going above and beyond her multi-faceted role of teacher, coach, mentor and friend.
I am fortunate to call Rene Stanley, sister. She is 10 years older than me so I have been looking to her as a role model since the day I was born. I have watched Rene travel the world to volunteer her time to complete strangers, build genuine friendships with phenomenal people, be celebrated as a thought provoking teacher, become a loving wife, & the coolest mom two boys could ever hope for. Even now that I’m hundreds of miles away, I am seeing her positive impact. I am currently a hairstylist in Lawrence, Kansas, home of The University of Kansas. Over my years here I have been lucky enough to get a few of Rene’s former students in my chair. I am constantly filled with joy to hear them discuss their favorite moments with her as a teacher and how Rene chose to go above and beyond as a teacher and coach. I am so proud to call Rene Stanley sister and friend.
As a former student of Mrs. Stanley, I can’t put into words how much she has impacted me as a student, individual, and current elementary teacher.
Mrs. Stanley taught me English in 9th grade and AP English in 12th grade. My love for reading started with Mrs. Stanley. She made grammar and reading fun. She created such a safe space in her classroom. I was able to learn SO much from her my freshman year. I then became confident after that school year and decided to challenge myself to do AP. I give that credit to her.
She taught me to try my hardest and think outside of the box. She teaches all of her students to never stay comfortable and always keep reaching for more.
She taught me that the answer might not come to me right away but with dedication and hard work, I can figure it out.
Mrs. Stanley also taught me lots about living life. She was always so caring and invested in each of her students. She was determined to have students that are engaged in learning in her classroom. She was very engaging and always looking for better ways to improve class work and discussion.
When asked why I became a teacher, Mrs. Stanley is ALWAYS my answer. She inspired me to touch the lives of students just like she does.
She has impacted the lives of many and I am very thankful to have had her as a teacher and role model.
Mrs. Stanley was one of the most impactful teachers I had during my time at IHS. I was fortunate enough to have her for two years of English and three years as a homeroom advisor. I remember always looking forward to her classes due to her unmatched energy; each and every day she brought energy and passion to her class that was unlike any other teacher. Mrs. Stanley challenges her students and pushes them out of their comfort zone to prepare them for the challenges of everyday life. I will forever be grateful I had the opportunity to be taught by Mrs. Stanley, and cannot thank her enough for what she has done for my academic career and personal life.
Rene and I are both from Montgomery county, a place where the poverty rate is double that of the national average, a place where Rene returned after college and has taught for more than 10 years. I moved away for anticipated bigger adventure, but I never question why Rene returned. Rene is where she's needed, and where her impact on the world is the greatest. She not only takes ahold of opportunities that come her way to make an impact at her school and in her community, but she innovates to add value in ways before unsought, and in this way has truly become an invaluable wife, mother, teacher, colleague, and friend.
I see the posts that student alum post on Rene's social media -- thanking her for pushing them, the acknowledgements that their college futures wouldn't have looked so bright without her class, or the photos they share years later of the hilarious albeit educational at-school toga party she threw. I think too of the many college students from all parts of the world who relied on Rene's tutorship to get them through their classes, herself the same age and in some of the same classes, but working at the writing center to help pull her peers up. I remember the intricate handmade gifts her students gave her as she finished her summer volunteering in China, tokens of their immense appreciation. I think about the frequent grammar questions I still have so easily answered by Rene, with only the smallest amount of judgment that I even had to ask.
When I go back for visits, I like to find ways to namedrop that Rene is my friend -- even better, to be seen around town with her -- fore I like the wash of happiness that comes over the faces when they think of her name, or see her face.
(Rene, if you're reading this -- was that the right way to use "fore"?)
As a former paraeducator at Independence High School, I was able to witness first-hand Rene's excellence in the classroom. She taught with passion, which kept her students engaged at a high level. She injected creativity and energy into her lessons and challenged students to learn more. Her students looked forward to her classes because of the sense of accomplishment they felt after meeting her challenge.
As she has been my English teacher and dance coach, I can say that Mrs. Stanley has impacted me in more ways than she will ever know. She was always supportive of me and my ideas as well as knew exactly what to say to push me to be my very best. Mrs. Stanley taught me to look at literature in hundreds of different ways and to always have an open mind. She makes her classes enjoyable and something I looked forward to every day in high school. I can’t think of a more outstanding life changer than Mrs. Rene Stanley.
Mrs. Stanley was the most influential teacher in my time as a student at IHS. Not only did she push me to do my best, she taught me how to push myself, and create my own answers and ideas rather than present them to me. She also guided me in my future plans, and through many conversations helped me discover what I wanted to do with my future, the path there, and where to start. Mrs. Stanley has by far impacted my life the most out of any mentors I’ve had, and is more than deserving of this award.
Mrs. Stanley is by far the best teacher I have ever had and has changed my life in many ways. As I prepared for college she aided me in the process of learning at an advanced level and prepared me for the different types of writing and real world problems I would encounter. As a teacher she taught me more than anyone else ever has and has helped me to understand parts of English I never thought I could. If not for her class college would be a huge struggle for me as I would have had no clue how to write, analyze a text, make sure to listen the right way in class, or even study. She had constantly challenged me and that has been a great change in my life as it has helped me to also get out of my comfort zone and do things I normally would have avoided. This has helped in so many ways as it has brought me new friends and adventures. Not only was she a great teacher but she was a great person to talk to. I am not usually the one to like to talk to my teachers but if I had to I would go to Mrs. Stanley first she knew what to say and changed my life in how I feel about teachers. Mrs. Stanley is the perfect person for this award, I could not name a single teacher who changed my life in high school more than her.
Mrs. Stanley is the most influential teacher I ever had. She was my AP English teacher for two years and my dance team coach for three years. She truly cares about her students and wants them to succeed. I loved learning from her because her passion for teaching literature kept me engaged and I learned the most in high school from her classes. Mrs. Stanley was not just an English teacher or dance coach to me; Mrs. Stanley was a role model. She was such a great example of how to stay organized, professional, kind, and selfless. Mrs. Stanley helped me to believe in myself and feel confident going forward into college. She believed in me and my abilities before I did! I may not have always shown it, but I sincerely appreciated Mrs. Stanley and the impact she had on my life.
Rene Stanley was, without a doubt, one of the most impactful teachers I've had. She challenges all of her students in ways that forces us to be as great as we can be, and then beyond that. Even more though, she is caring. Every student is welcome to see her for extra help, and gets what they need. She won't be soft with you on grading, which pushes those who are used to slacking, or those who believe they already have what they need to succeed in the class. And yet, her classes are not dreaded by her students, but are inventive, open, and fun. Rene Stanley has taught me writing and analyzing skills that have lasted long after graduation. She is the type of teacher I only wish every student in the world has the chance to be taught by and have the pleasure of knowing. Thank you for helping us all, not just in school, but in our lives as well.
Mrs. Stanley was an amazing teacher/coach/role model for me throughout high school. She believed in me as dance team captain and always let me know when I was doing well in her classes. She is always looking for new ways to improve her classroom and get more involved with the school which is a needed characteristic in teachers nowadays. I will never forget having her as my teacher/coach and will forever be grateful for the faith she had in me.
