LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tiffany Price was nominated by an anonymous parent.

Ms. Price began her educational career at 18 years old, fresh out of high school. She began as a self-contained MOID/Severe Profound paraprofessional at Woodland High School with a mission to make a difference in every student's life. Ms. Price directed and oversaw the Special Needs Warriors football and cheerleading teams. She served as the Special Olympics coach for a variety of sports, all while being a mother and earning a degree.
 
Ms. Price worked hard to earn a degree in special education. In 2014, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in early childhood and special education from Mercer University.

Ms. Price had a goal to become the best teacher she could be. She went on to teach fourth grade at Livingston Elementary School, where she took on many leadership roles during her first year of teaching. She used her wealth of knowledge by working with the PBIS Team, RTI, and working with Title I. In 2017, Ms. Price earned a master's degree in early childhood education, an endorsement in science, and a gifted endorsement.

In 2016, Ms. Price went back to the classroom at WHS to teach self-contained MID students. While teaching, Ms. Price served as the department chair for special education, taught summer school for special education, coached Special Olympics, and directed and oversaw the Woodland Warriors special needs football and cheerleading teams. She was an active member of the Leadership Team and the Literacy Committee. 

In 2018, Ms. Price continued her education journey to enrich student lives by moving to Jones County, where she now serves as the Family Engagement Coordinator.  Ms. Price works hard to educate faculty and staff, as well as parents, on how to enrich student learning and become more involved in student success through Title I.  Ms. Price contributes to each student's success in the school, home, and community. She bridges the gap to engage every student and parent in learning!

Ms. Price is dedicated to helping parents and teacher effectively communicate and stay up to date on the current events going on at school by providing teachers and parents with information in a bi-monthly newsletter, along with multiple other ways of communication. She is currently working on finishing her doctoral degree in special education, all while being a mother of two beautiful girls!

Ms. Price has enriched the lives of many disadvantaged students throughout the county by sparking their interest in education, learning about their needs, and building a meaningful relationship with each student. 

She also works with a non-profit called Operation Lunchbox to provide underprivileged students and their families with weekend groceries each week. The organization can be summarized by its motto: “Kids Gotta Eat.” Each week, Ms. Price is dedicated to packing and delivering groceries to students in Jones County Schools. As of today, 225 students are able to receive weekend groceries because of her dedication. Her hopes and desires are to grow this program to reach every student in the community!

Another of Ms. Price's goals is to make sure students are prepared for higher education. She provides parents and families with resources to help their children succeed at home, at school, and in the community. This year, Ms. Price held the first annual JCSS Family and Community Resource Fair, hosting over 15 vendors and 100 school and community attendees. This was a huge success and brought many valuable resources to families around the county.

In her current role, Ms. Price has done a wonderful job of involving and teaching families and students the value of education. She has created a Family Resource Center at each school she serves and is able to provide resources and tools for parents, staff, and families as needed to improve academic achievement.

"Ms. Price's work in Jones County Schools continues to help underprivileged students across the county. Her work is not over until every student has the opportunity to realize their full potential and become a successful adult," said her nominator. "Ms. Price is a dedicated, kind, and motivated young woman who will continue to make every child her number one priority! She is deserving of this award to help her achieve her dreams of one day opening a day center for special needs adults and grow the Operation Lunchbox Organization."