LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Tamora McConnell was nominated by her mentee, Mackenzie Williams and a family member, Rainey Johnson. Below are quotes from both of their nominations.

From Mackenzie Williams:

"Dr. McConnell has affected me in more ways than one. She has single-handedly cultivated my self-confidence into what it is today. She serves as a lifeline to so many people, and she continues to prove herself as a proud servant of the community she works in," explains Williams.

"I met her when I was in high school and she worked at the elementary school. At the beginning of that academic school year, she was a teacher in the classroom," said Williams. "However, when things needed to shift at the school for the greater good of the students, she was asked to move to an interventionist role in the middle of the year. She not only did it with no complaints, regardless of how much she loved her students, but she did it with such grace. By the end of the year, the students' test scores had greatly increased," said Williams.

"She has always provided me with so much insight about life for any situation I have been in. She has never steered me in the wrong direction. I have a nervous stutter that I struggled with for years, and whenever she saw that it bothered me, she allowed me grace and patience so that I could get my thoughts out. Overall, her patience, class, willingness to sacrifice, and love of her craft makes her an excellent candidate for this award. Because of Dr. McConnell, I believe in myself. Because of Dr. McConnell, I believe in our future," said Williams.

From Rainey Johnson:

"My nominee, Tamora McConnell, has exemplified "LifeChanger" qualities since the day she was born. As a young girl, Tamora always expressed the desire to create significant change not only in the lives of her family, but also in the lives of those around her. Since then, she has been a woman with a plan. Armed with the inspiration given to her by former teachers, strong African American role models, and various pillars in the community, she turned her plan into action by putting herself on the frontline as a teacher (guiding the often labeled misguided with the intention of planting the seed of hippie in the fertile minds of so many children). 

"Tamora is a do gooder through and through. I have personally witnessed her donate not only her time, services and money to every fundraiser that crosses her path, but she has also served as an advocate and ambassador for causes that are dear to her heart. Tamora continues to make strides to excel in her educational & professional career so that she can continue to change the trajectory of public schools worldwide and especially those in minority communities," said Johnson.