LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Israel Rivera was nominated by a member of his community, Fernando Rubio.

Mr. Rivera has a proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students. As the leader of Joe May Elementary School, a school located in a low-income area, he has provided effective leadership that increased student achievement, parental involvement, and teachers' development. Several teachers attribute their success in the classroom to his instructional leadership. Mr. Rivera has proven to be resilient, collaborative, and passionate. He has shown the ability to positively add to the development of his school's atmosphere.

Parents and students want to be at his school, as demonstrated by the school's waiting list, and he is a leader within his school and district. He was elected by his peers to serve as president of two administration boards and has a record of excellent performance at the professional level. Every school Mr. Rivera has led has produce positive outcomes for children, families, and communities. He has demonstrated a commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere and is constantly providing support and praise to teachers, students, and families. Teachers gravitate towards Rivera when they've had a bad day because they know he can always brighten their day. He adheres to high moral and ethical standards of integrity, responsibility, and exemplary personal standards of conduct.

"Mr. Rivera can be counted on to the right thing even when it tough," Rubio said. "He will not take the easy way out and makes school decisions based on what is best for children, despite the pressure and opposition to do otherwise."