LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Debora Coldiron was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

"Mrs. Coldiron made 'air hugs' popular before COVID-19 made them mandatory," said the nominator. "I remember when I first started teaching and Mrs. Coldiron's kindergarten class came by the front office windows. They all gave the staff 'air hugs' through the glass to let them know that they were appreciated. She taught her students to be respectful, thoughtful members of society and to think of others."

Mrs. Coldiron coined the phrase, "Think smarter, not harder" for her students and the staff at Dorsett Shoals. Her small ways of encouraging others have made the biggest difference in the lives of everyone who enters the school. During long faculty meetings, Mrs. Coldiron's voice is always the voice of reason, ready to find ways to accomplish tasks without making them harder on the teachers. 

"Mrs. Coldiron has been THE teacher to go to in any situation. She has taught in three different states and even in Australia," said the nominator. "Her students love hearing about Australia so much that my son wants to go there when he graduates...and I know that he is not the only one. She has taught in small schools and larger schools, but she has stayed with Dorsett Shoals for the majority of her teaching career. For that, we are the blessed ones."

Whether she was teaching kindergarten, fourth grade, or Program Challenge, there was always movement and fun happening in her classroom. Mrs. Coldiron has a way of infusing learning into any activity taking place in the day.

"My children have been blessed by her, and they all talk about how much they have learned from her class," said the nominator. "As a parent, I love that Mrs. Coldiron showed my children how to appreciate friendships and be kind to everyone. As a teacher, I love walking by her classroom and hearing the students singing 'Happy Birthday Cha-Cha-Cha' for their friends and celebrating each other's accomplishments. These 'little moments' are what make the difference in students' lives. This is what they remember."

"As Mrs. Coldiron prepares to retire this school year, I know that things will be forever changed in the halls of Dorsett Shoals Elementary School," said the nominator. "Students will continue to give 'air hugs' to the office staff because that is one way we can show love and appreciation. Students will continue to sing silly birthday songs to their friends because that is how we acknowledge each other's gifts. Students will continue to talk about traveling to Australia one day and playing the didgeridoo because their eyes have been opened to the majesty of the world around us. Teachers will smile and greet others kindly because that is what Mrs. Coldiron did every morning and throughout the day." 

"Mrs. Coldiron has the true heart of a teacher, and I am beyond blessed to have had the opportunity to learn from her. She is a LifeChanger," said the nominator.