LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dr. Chuck Garner was nominated by his colleague, Jeri Kay Hardy.

Dr. Garner retired after serving for 30 years in education. He's not only a LifeChanger for kids, but a positive support for teachers and staff. During his tenure at Gasconade County R-2 School District, he paved the way for building expansions, facility and ground enhancements, and academic innovation. 

Through a successful no-tax-increase bond issue, he was able to add additional classrooms to two of the district's four schools. The district's main campus has been transformed into a beautiful facility with athletic fields to support all student activities. This allows students to participate in events on campus in a safe, effective manner on fields most districts dream of playing on. 

Dr. Garner was always looking out for student performance. He encouraged staff members to be innovative and creative when teaching the learning standards to students. He was a proponent of making sure his rural district had the most up-to-date equipment for incorporating STEAM activities into the classroom. This allows students to have the experience and knowledge to prepare them for careers in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. His district's physics class was able to develop a school safety device that won the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow national competition. As winners, they received $100,000.00 in funding, which was used to purchase technology for the district. 

Dr. Garner was present in the buildings and worked diligently to provide a safe and positive learning environment for all. Through all of his accomplishments, he kept students' needs first. For this, he is definitely a LifeChanger.