LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jonelle Ross was nominated by her principal, Patty Wood.

Mrs. Ross has impacted her students by leaving them with a lifelong desire to learn. Comments from her students about her influence are endless. The most common comment is, "Mrs. Ross is so loving and makes us want to learn!" As an educator working in a high-poverty school, with students dealing with trauma from the Flint Water Crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Mrs. Ross is continually uplifting her students and families.

"In my career as a principal, Mrs. Ross is such a breath of fresh air!" Wood said. "She has impacted the entire school community. During her first year at Grand Blanc Academy, she created an atmosphere of partnership between the lower elementary teachers and the upper and middle school teachers. Students took on projects across grade levels - for instance, Mrs. Ross's second graders would work on a project with one of the sixth grade classes. Relationships were formed from grade level to grade level."

Mrs. Ross has taken on the responsibilities of marketing and communications director for Grand Blanc Academy. She has organized the school's first community vendor fair, which partners with businesses throughout the Grand Blanc and Flint communities. She created a marketing calendar for social media, drawing in the staff to create videos such as "A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener!" Mrs. Ross created schedules for teachers to read to students on social media during the pandemic lockdown. This is her second career. She has taken her first career in business and transitioned to education. She has blended the two careers to show leadership and commitment with the highest level of integrity!

Watching Mrs. Ross's students grow over time has been a highlight of the atmosphere at Grand Blanc Academy. She started as a long term substitute in first grade. The following year, she was hired to loop with those same first graders to second grade. This past year, she has been the classroom teacher for most of those students as a fourth/fifth split classroom teacher. Next year, she will loop again as the fifth/sixth grade teacher. This takes much planning, organization, and enthusiasm to learn the new grade level curriculum from year to year.

Mrs. Ross's positive attitude, motivation, love, and empathy for all students drives her to be the top performer in her school. Given this drive, her students out-perform all classes with her NWEA growth results. This past year, she challenged her students to excel in math. The enthusiasm she draws out of her students had them working on math skills above grade level, and they didn't even know it! She has recently been accepted into the Aspiring Leaders program, which is being developed by her school's management company. 

Relationship-building is the highest calling for Mrs. Ross. She doesn't just share herself with her class, but she builds relationships throughout the entire school with all students. She applied for a Nike grant to start a track club. This was a huge success. Now, the school no longer has an athletic director, so she has volunteered to take on that role. When challenged on whether her workload was too heavy, she replied, "I will do ANYTHING for the kids!" She is currently organizing a 5K Race for Equity. 

"Mrs. Ross continually demonstrates the highest of work ethics," said Wood. "She has brought new adventures to GBA by working with other teachers to increase our enrollment and help plan new opportunities for our students. She is drawing in the community to raise funds to increase our sports and after school programs, which will help our students improve their physical and social-emotional health."

"I will close out this nomination with a poem written by Mrs. Ross while modeling poetry for her students," said Wood.

They teach me how to be culturally relevant and knowledgeable.

I teach them how to stand in their power and embrace their royalty.

They teach me how to accept my differences while honoring theirs.

I teach them how to stand in their glory and know their worth.

They teach me how to communicate with diction outside of prescribed academia and know its value and place.

I teach them how to show and model their communication on multiple levels; while designing a platform to educate and inspire others to accept its form.

They teach me to explore customs with integrity and an open mind.

I teach them to empower others to blend their known traditions with an expanded lens.

They teach me that success can mean safety and peace.

I teach them their peace will bring them success.

We work together to understand and empower, while giving and receiving.

We model our lives, develop our character, and navigate this class together, as a family. Unified through differences, and blended with love!