LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lee Keller was nominated by his principal, Brian Gee.

Mr. Keller is the counselor at Goddard Academy and Lakeside Academy.  Goddard Academy is a non-traditional alternative high school in Goddard Public Schools.  Goddard Academy is made up of students from the two traditional high schools in town. Students come to Goddard Academy for a number of reasons ranging from being behind in credits, anxiety problems, and learning problems in the traditional setting, to being ahead in credits and wanting to graduate early.

Lakeside Academy is made up of young men who live at a 24 hour secure foster home and are educated by Goddard Public Schools. Students are placed in this facility if something has happened for them to be taken out of their home and they have not found a foster family to take them. 

"I have been an administrator for 14 years, and I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of great counselors in my tenure," said Gee. "Mr. Keller is a LifeChanger and a proven leader in the eyes of students throughout Goddard Public Schools."

Mr. Keller has the type of personality that can work with the most challenging student one minute and a straight A student the next. Students at both locations go to him for far more then academic guidance. They go to him because he motivates and inspires them to get through the day.  He works with students to help them find a job, get into tech school classes, and solve whatever issue they are facing that day.

"I can honestly say the atmosphere of the building is totally different, in a good way, when Mr. Keller is here," said Gee. "His presence walking through the classrooms on a daily basis has helped a lot of our students who have anxiety issues.  Students can come to Mr. Keller's office any time during the day, and it's impressive to see the students' transformation from when they walk in to when they walk out. He is an exceptional listener and uses that skill to help calm the students in his office. We are a school that does not suspend students out of school unless required due to BOE policy, and Mr. Keller is a big player in that process.  He will do restorative practices with me to mend the wrong and turn the discipline action into a learning experience."

"I have worked with a lot of great people in my 14 years of administration, but there is one who brings a new meaning to high moral and high ethical standards," said Gee. "Mr. Keller will never put himself in a situation that could jeopardize him, but still finds a way to help a student.  He has been married to his wife, Donna, for over 25 years and has two daughters who grew up in the Goddard School District."

"This award defines him as a man and professional," said Gee. "The Goddard district, Goddard Academy and Lakeside Academy would not be where it is if we didn't have Lee Keller as a counselor. I love coming to work every day for many reasons, but one of those reasons is getting to work alongside an educator who truly makes a daily difference in the lives of our students."