LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Jennifer Simpson

Position: Behavior Specialist
School: Albany Community School
School District: Orleans Central Supervisory Union
City, State: Albany, VT

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Music that Describes Jennifer

Jennifer Simpson was nominated by her principal, Kelly MacMartin.

When Ms. Simpson walks in the door of Albany Community School each morning, she has a flood of students ready to connect with her. She meets them with love and compassion every single time! She helps her school's most vulnerable K-8th grade students feel settled in and ready to learn, which is no small job.

Ms. Simpson has the special ability of being able to look right into kids, see them for who they truly are, and value them fully. She conveys to all students that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to - socially, emotionally, and academically. Through her strong relationships, she’s able to build a deep level of trust with everyone, especially her school's most vulnerable children. She is irreplaceable and unstoppable!

Ms. Simpson's success is evident in her approach to working with one particular student who has suffered a severely traumatic past. When this student began the school year, they exhibited behaviors that were out of control, unsettled, and even dangerous at times. This student is extremely slow to trust anyone, but Ms. Simpson was able to immediately connect with them and provide them with strategies to de-escalate. She continues to help this student see themselves as a learner who can safely be in school with everyone else. Ms. Simpson continues to support a team of teachers with strategies to support the success of this student and many others just like them! She leads teams to instill a sense of hope in the minds of children who have none, and she takes very little credit for her extraordinary efforts.

Ms. Simpson works hard to level the playing field for the less fortunate. She ensures that her district is a place that is just, where those who are less advantaged and most vulnerable in life are getting exactly what they need in order to achieve to their fullest potential, just like their more advantaged peers.

Ms. Simpson has been a lead behaviorist for over a decade and has always realized a high level of success with students and adults. As a knowledgeable behaviorist, trauma-informed practitioner, and PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports) coordinator, she helps staff develop their understanding of trauma-informed practices and behavioral responses. She often leads sessions where staff come together to learn about trauma-informed best practices to implement in classrooms. Ms. Simpson believes in spreading her knowledge in order to impact the greater functioning of classrooms in her school. She does this in a very humble way, placing herself on the same level as her colleagues, helping everyone to understand that they’re all in this together. She is team-oriented and goes with all staff and students to build a culture of positivity and collective efficacy by helping to set whole school goals and make strides to meet them through the implementation of the PBIS program.

Most recently, Ms. Simpson supported her school in adding the expectation “Be Accepting” as one of the primary school-wide behavioral goals for the year. This came at a time when some marginalized students were receiving backlash for their specific identities. With her team, she chose to confront the issue head-on and directly support all students in developing a healthy mindset around accepting others for who they are. She worked with a team to design and implement a hazing, harassment, and bullying training to educate students about the laws and school policies in support of all students. She is responsible for leading teams of staff in her school to develop a strong support system for the diverse student body and for promoting a positive and accepting place for all students, especially the most vulnerable.

"Jen has great stamina and is tireless and unstoppable when it comes to connecting with and supporting all of our students at ACS," said MacMartin. "I couldn’t imagine a more qualified candidate to receive this award. Jen holds students at the forefront of all decisions she makes. She is a LifeChanger!"

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Comments (10)

Amanda Addeo Posted over a year ago

When I think of Jen I think of trust. She is an authentic person with a huge heart. The kids connect with her so well because they can see that she deeply cares, has high standards, and is reliable. It is a wonderful gift to these kids to have someone that makes them feel safe and important while guiding them toward being their best selves. We are all very lucky to have Ms. Jen!

Kelly MacMartin Posted over a year ago

You are a true life changer, Jen! I am proud of you every day for your great care and work with our students. You inspire all of us to do even more for our students and to believe we can achieve great things together as a team. You are a life changer in every way! Thank you. Best of Luck, Kelly

Nick Streeter Fletcher Posted over a year ago

Ms. Jen always helps kids through difficult times. She always supports them in solving problems. She's an awesome and nice teacher and she supports me when I need it. When she helps me I feel like I can do school even though it's really hard. She motivates me and helps me to feel good. Ms. Jen changes lives every day. She definitely deserves this award!!! Good Luck Jen! Your Student, Nick

Wendy Little Posted over a year ago

I second the nomination! Jen is such an inspiration to our students as well as our staff. Her job at times is pretty close to impossible, being called upon to respond to numerous situations at once but she somehow manages to be able to do it and do it well. Her ability to remain consistent while showing compassion is admirable. She is able to build relationships with students that allow them to confide in her and build trust. As a colleague she is flexible and always willing to take a step back and see the "big picture". Her professionalism and unflagging enthusiasm for her work is significant. I feel very lucky to work with her and feel that our school is greatly improved by her presence.

Johanna Krushat Posted over a year ago

There are so many great things I could say about Jen and her work as a leader at ACS, but what I admire her the most and consider her as my biggest role model. Jen has such an amazing way with connecting with students and treating them like a human being instead of a number. She will advocate for what is right and what is the best fit for the students in our building and you can clearly see this through her interactions with those around her. She is creative, fun and innovative and exactly what ACS needed to complete our team. There have been intense challenges that we have faced together as the school counselor and SEL specialist, but Jen is not afraid to dive right into the issue as she determines best solutions and strategies to help those in need. The impact she has made already in our building, with only being here a year and a half, proves how profound her work is for our students and faculty members. Thank you Jen for everything you have done for our school. I know the students view you as a hero and I have identified you as the same.

Sandra Young Posted over a year ago

Jen has played an integral role here at Albany Community School. She is a wealth of knowledge around how to support all students. Her background in social emotional learning has helped so many students to get on track with their behaviors, and to be available to make connections while accessing their academics. She puts student's needs at top priority. She is at work early and stays late very often in order to help her team members with meetings, writing behavior plans or communicating with parents. Jen is incredibly dedicated to her work and has made such amazing changes to our school community. Jen is an absolute "LifeChanger"!

Donna Bousquet Posted over a year ago

When I was setting up a Social Emotional Learning library, at Albany Community School, Jen was so helpful and supportive of my efforts. I was feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because my schedule did not allow me the time I needed to research the collection. Seeing the need to have the SEL Library available ASAP, she jumped right in and figured out the books I already had in our collection and the titles I needed to order. She helped me set up the space, so teachers and students could easily find these important and helpful books, quickly and easily. She continues to support all of us, everyday, at Albany Community School! Thank you, Jen! - Donna Bousquet/Reading Interventionist/ Library-Media Specialist

Holly Lillis Posted over a year ago

Jen is a godsend at our school. I have seen her connect with students who have refused to connect with anyone. Jen is someone who advocates for the well-being and education of every student at ACS. It's obvious that even our most challenging students feel safe and seen when they are with Ms. Simpson. She works tirelessly to scaffold and design individual plans for the success of our students. Jen is not someone who is punitive, she is a teacher. She works hard to teach students skills to help them regulate their emotions and work through their behaviors in a productive manner. She is giving them tools that will last them a lifetime. Without a doubt, Jen is changing the lives of students. She does this not only with her work with students but with her work with staff. She is always giving staff tools to meet the needs of students and helping the staff come together as a team to create environments where students feel safe and supported. I'm incredibly thankful for Jen and the work she does at our school! She never gives up on students and I'm always impressed by her dedication and perserverance.

Jeff Coburn Posted over a year ago

Jen wears multiple hats, sometimes flipping from one to another at a moment’s notice, in order to provide what our students need the most. One moment she is advocate, standing up for the supports our students need. The next moment she is a supportive friend, acting as a sounding board for students. Just as quickly, she is a purveyor of knowledge, sharing insights, lessons, and strategies to help her students (or colleagues) be better people. Whether she is promoting the goals of PBIS, providing insight into a possible investigation, leading a restorative circle, or helping plan a building-wide spirit week, she embodies the concept that all students need safe, accepting spaces to learn in.

Gloria Ruggles Posted over a year ago

So proud of you and your hard work of always striving to learn more to make a difference in the students whose paths you cross.