LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Molly Alexander was nominated by a family member, Beth Alexander.

"From top to bottom of the criteria list, Molly’s qualities, commitments, and abilities shine through with clarity," said Beth. "Having witnessed her blossoming evolution from inquiring student to passionate teacher, there is not one single doubt in my mind that Molly has discovered her true path in the teaching field, and that path loves her back."

Ms. Alexander brings her full, fierce energy to her elementary classroom every day. She embraces the challenges of working with a highly diverse classroom of students. Her students are multi-ethnic, multi-cultural,  and wide-ranging in abilities and differences. Ms. Alexander meets and greets each and every student where they are in that moment.  One of her greatest gifts as a teacher is her genuine acceptance, understanding, and respect for the unique individuality of each student.  With warmth, kindness, clarity, comedy, and her unique hilarity, she lays out a vision of high expectations for her students. They respond to her in kind. Students know and trust that their voices are valued and listened to by Ms. Alexander.

Classroom management is almost always a challenge for K-12 teachers. Ms. Alexander uses her natural gifts in this area (certain raised eyebrows, curious facial expressions, poise between powerful silences, etc.) to keep her classroom group dynamics flowing and functioning with the fewest disturbances.  Her students want to please her and make her proud.  Ms. Alexander motivates her students with a special combination of aspiration, praise, and desire for progress.  Students know she is fully invested in their growth and success from every angle. 

The most life-changing quality a great teacher can have is the ability to motivate students and nurture a life habit of curiosity. This is Ms. Alexander's most valuable attribute as a teacher. She has an unstoppable ability to wake up new curiosities and questions in her students. She challenges them to think in new ways and ask questions that will lead to habits of critical thinking.  These qualities and attributes might be more difficult to capture in data measurements, but in the long run, her students will be well prepared as the problem-solvers for future needs.