LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Sydney Cumbest was nominated by a colleague who wishes to remain anonymous.

Ms. Cumbest is an outstanding teacher who has an extremely interesting room with music instruments hanging from her ceiling. She introduces students to different composers and styles of music and dance. She even incorporates different genres of music that celebrate our multicultural population.

Ms. Cumbest works with students to put on programs throughout the year, and helps the choir perform at city functions. Her music students strive to meet her expectations while performing. Last year, she had her third grade students perform the Nutcracker, in which they studied their parts, worked hard and rose to the challenge. She is a LifeChanger for students.

"Most students come from broken homes and low socioeconomic backgrounds, so Ms. Cumbest encourages them to not let things or situations stop them from achieving whatever they want to do or become," the nominator said.