LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Amy McGrail was nominated by her principal, Mark Loach.

“Let’s play Rock, Paper, Scissors!” said Ms. McGrail to a young student, who was upset and teary-eyed during a shelter-in-place at school as a result of a tornado warning. Ms. McGrail was able to distract the student and calm him down. Before long, the rest of the students sheltering in place were playing Rock, Paper, Scissors with each other and not focusing on the stormy weather.

Ms. McGrail has a gift of making students feel at ease within moments of visiting the Health Room.  She knows who they are and learns what makes them smile, and they trust her.  She is hardworking, dependable, thorough, caring, and supportive.  One of Monarch’s school counselors said “Nurse Amy treats every student, parent, and staff member with respect. She just radiates love and concern for others.  She is truly a treasure and is always ready to help, support, and serve our school family!”

Ms. McGrail has students with a wide range of medical needs.  In addition to meeting the normal needs of sick or injured students, she has served students with Type 1 diabetes, seizures, and epilepsy who need constant monitoring or daily medication.  She not only cares for these students, but she helps educate and assist their teachers in navigating these medical needs. Ms. McGrail is also very involved with her school’s special needs students, many of whom are nonverbal, and most of whom have physical and/or emotional needs.  She genuinely loves Monarch’s students as if they were her own children and pours out her heart and soul to care for them. 

Not only does Ms. McGrail love and care for Monarch’s students, but she goes the extra mile to show compassion for Monarch’s staff.  She is a member of Monarch’s first responder team and has assisted staff members in medical emergencies occurring at school. She coordinates workplace health screenings and flu shot clinics for staff at the school. Ms. McGrail checks in on sick staff members at home during weekends and any weekdays staff members are out.  Her calm demeanor was a comfort for a staff member who was worried about possible COVID-19 exposure from one of their students, preventing them from attending their mother’s funeral.  She helped the staff member by listening to the circumstances of their possible exposure and putting their mind at ease that the risk of exposure was low, making it safe for others to attend the funeral.  

All of these situations are just a small sample of the concern and care Ms. McGrail offers staff, students, and their families on a daily basis.

"Monarch Elementary is grateful to Nurse Amy and is truly thankful to have her on staff.  It is our honor to nominate her for the 2021-22 LifeChanger Spotlight Award.  She is truly deserving," said Loach.