LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Krista Gneiting was nominated by the American School Health Association.

Ms. Gneiting has gone beyond changing lives by saving them. In May of 2021, Ms. Gneiting was one of many students and school staff members who were faced with the unimaginable. Gun shots rang out at Rigby Middle School, sending the school into panic. Ms. Gneiting acted swiftly to get her classroom of students out of the building, but she did not run. She didn't even hide. Instead, she took leadership and went out into the hall where she confronted the shooter - a sixth grader. She effectively disarmed the little girl and held her in a hug until the police arrived on the scene. Ms. Gneiting's actions show her incredible compassion for her students and a deeper understanding of the nurturing role teachers can take on to make a world of difference. In an interview, she expressed her moral and ethical stance by saying that she hopes the shooter gets the help she needs and is shown forgiveness. No one knows what would've happened that day if Ms. Gneiting hadn't intervened. She truly saved the lives of many and changed the life of the little girl by showing her love in her darkest hour.