LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Mary White was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Ms. White is the epitome of a LifeChanger.  She is a person who lives her passion every day.  She goes above and beyond to make sure that students are taken care of and have what they need to be able to learn. Ms. White is a product of the school that she now teaches at and the community that supports her school and students completely.  Growing up, Ms. White was involved in many things, but music rose to the top.  She is an accomplished musician with the rare ability to be able to teach that passion to others in a way that is easily understood.

Many students have had the opportunity to have Ms. White as a teacher from the time they were in grade school all the way through high school. This is because she has done so much to build the arts for kids.  She is a champion of the arts, and it shows daily.  She loves what she does, and it isn't a job to her.  Her orchestra concerts are a thing of beauty, and you never know what will happen next.  Will the students play Zeppelin, Star Wars, Mozart, or other classical fare?  

Ms. White is involved and actively engaged in many committees at Eureka High School, Rockwood School District, and throughout the state of Missouri.  She is a lifelong learner who has received her National Board Certification and continues to mentor and develop students and staff, as well.  Her passion for educating students is contagious, and you can't be around her for long without feeling her passion.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been difficult to educate students in the "normal" way.  This is especially difficult for a performance-based course such as orchestra. Ms. White, however, organized weekly sessions where students would get to play together while social distancing and wearing masks. These sessions were for the students, but they did so much good for the community and for the staff, parents, and students of EHS.  It was a little bit of "normal." This is just one example of how Ms. White goes out of her way to do what needs to be done for students.  Each and every student who has been in her class will tell you that she treats them as if they were her own child, and so would their parents!

"Ms. White shows her commitment to the lives of her students daily, and this is something that will never change," her nominator said. "As someone who is lucky enough to be able to visit her room, I feel the love and the passion, not only from her, but from her students when I walk in.  To hear these students play and perform, even when they are practicing, is mind-blowing.  The talent that she is able to produce and the passion that these kids have for their music is amazing. Mary White is truly a LifeChanger, not only at EHS, but throughout the community and the state of Missouri."