LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Olivia LaField was nominated by Denise Davis, the parent of a student.

Ms. LaField has done outstanding work at Montgomery Creek Elementary School. The changes she has brought about since becoming a part of the school are significant and life-changing to all students, including Mrs. Davis' daughter.

"When Ms. LaField became our daughter’s 5th grade teacher, my husband and I had no idea about the impact she would have on our daughter’s life," said Davis. "Our daughter, Leandra, started in Ms. LaField’s 5th grade class during the 2019-2020 school year. One of the first changes we noticed right away was the difference in how our daughter came home from school after the first few weeks of the school year. In 4th grade, Leandra seemed very disinterested and bored in her classes. Many times, in her previous school year, she commented that her days in class were dull, and she was distracted by how noisy and unruly her class was. When asked how her day was or what she learned, she would shrug and say, 'I don’t know, math and writing, I guess.'...Leandra rarely came home excited over projects or what she had learned. In addition, the prior classes she attended seemed to be very non-inspiring, not only to our child, but to the to other students, as well. With the many disruptions and wildness of the class, we began to question if Leandra would even be attending the next year."

"During the first few weeks of Ms. LaField teaching at Montgomery Creek School, the changes with our daughter were strikingly different," said Davis. "Leandra began talking about her English class and starting actively writing journals, reading books, and completing reading logs. Leandra has flourished since Ms. LaField has been her teacher. Not only has Ms. LaField enhanced our daughter’s education, but she has managed to transform the teaching culture at Montgomery Creek School...Ms. LaField’s strong, firm personality and teaching style has changed the learning atmosphere of her class from chaotic to a smoother, calmer, and healthier learning setting."

"Ms. LaField’s unwavering professionalism has not only enhanced her own classroom and students, but reformed the atmosphere of the entire school," said Davis. "Because of her solid teaching style, firm beliefs, and unwavering dedication to her students, she has brought back professionalism and respect to the school environment. Overall, students have become more respectful and less inclined to cause trouble, and they're taking a more proactive approach to their learning. As a parent, watching this transformation of our daughter’s school is an awesome sight to see. The inspiration she gave our daughter that first year, continuing to present day, is fantastic. In the years since we have known Ms. LaField, the change she has brought about in our daughter is unmeasurable. To this very day, she continues to have an impact on Leandra’s interest in education and learning."

"If any one person can truly be called a LifeChanger, it is Ms. LaField," said Davis