LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Lesa Nichols was nominated by her colleague Barbara Rodgers.

Mrs. Nichols has been an effective first grade teacher for more than 20 years. She is a talented artist who put in the extra work to be become a certified art teacher. After effectively teaching art for many years to over 500 students each year, she is back in the classroom teaching first grade. She made this transition in order to meet the needs of a teacher shortage in her district.

Mrs. Nichols made this transition because she loves her students and wanted to see first graders receive a quality education. She wanted to provide them with a foundation of learning that will follow them throughout their educational career. When her principal asked her to help the school this critical need, she could have refused and retired, but she stepped up to the plate and took the position. Mrs. Nichols always puts others before herself, no matter what she might be going through. 

"Despite her dealing with a rare blood disease (which is in remission right now), she willingly agreed to become a first grade teacher to these Mississippi delta children. She truly is changing the lives of these children in her classroom," Rodgers said