LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Loni Hines was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous.

For more than ten years, Mrs. Hines has consistently made a beneficial difference in the lives of the students and staff with whom she works by adding to the development of a positive atmosphere. She shows leadership from her experiences in the classroom and her current position as an administrator. Mrs. Hines is also committed to producing a nurturing atmosphere, and adhering to high moral and ethical standards.

Mrs. Hines began teaching math at Waycross Middle School. In a few short years, she became the instructional coach. Her versatility and ability to help teachers and students alike as both a teacher and instructional coach paved the way for her success as the sixth grade assistant principal.

Every morning, she contributes to the atmosphere of Waycross Middle School by greeting students and teachers in the parking lot; wishing them a great day. If you listen on the way into the building, you can hear her calling students by name, asking them about an assignment on which they are working or an event in which they participated.

Mrs. Hines often pulls students aside to conference with them about acceptable behavior or comfort them if they're having a bad day. Because of Mrs. Hines, many students learn strategies to resolve their problems so they can focus their attention on learning in the classroom.

"She is a problem solver," the nominator said. "While maturity contributes to the changes we see in students, Mrs. Hines definitely influences the positive changes that take place with students between grades six and seven,"

Her impact on students follows them beyond sixth grade. Many students consider Hines to be stable, consistent, and safe. Even when they reach their final year at Waycross Middle School, students continue to reach out to her because they know she is always there for them. She makes positive changes in the lives of students who interact with her on a daily basis.

Mrs. Hines reaches out to her students and is just as thoughtful toward the teachers with whom she works. She remembers the challenges and stresses of being in the classroom, and the little things that make it better, such as chocolate on a state testing day or a card recognizing an important event.

All in all, Mrs. Hines is a LifeChanger who is committed to making learning and teaching a positive experience at Waycross Middle School. It would be impossible to say how many students have continued their education and become successful members of the community because of Mrs. Hines’s dedication and commitment to students. On top of all she does to change the lives of students, she also manages to take care of her husband and two boys.