LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Brody McGowan

Position: Fourth Grade Teacher
School: Harrisburg Elementary Schoool
School District: Harrisburg School District 7
City, State: Harrisburg, OR

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Brody McGowan was nominated by his principal, Darcey Edwards.

Mr. McGowan is a teacher who all students and parents desire to experience in the classroom. He is devoted to building strong relationships with his students, their families, and the community at large. He takes the extra time to sit with individual students and get to know them, their learning style, their interests, and what makes them tick when it comes to education.

"When I walk into his classroom, the students are highly engaged," said Edwards. "He is using a blend of traditional learning materials and cutting edge materials and platforms. You can see the excitement in the students' eyes."

Mr. McGowan also has a huge, positive impact on the school culture and his fellow staff members. He's always willing to help his grade level team, the teachers in the building, the educational assistants, and his administrators. He has stepped up through the years and supported the administrator in frameworks for sustainable systems, along with the day-to-day operations during a school day. Mr. McGowan is also an athletic coach at the high school.

"If I ask Brody for help, he is on it," said Edwards. "What I appreciate about Brody the most is his inclusive belief system. He believes all students belong and will go out of his way to ensure they are connected to learning and the school environment. He advocates for students' needs and support, and he does so with grace and understanding. Brody invests in student outcomes, both socially and academically. His focus is the whole child. Harrisburg Elementary School is definitely impacted by his positive presence each day."

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Diane Posted over a year ago

Brody is truly a life changer by example of how he lives. He is kind and caring. He loves his family and is always willing to help others. He speaks fondly of his students and loves his job.

Audra Posted over a year ago

This is awesome! Congratulations Brody!

Lori McGowan Posted over a year ago

Brody has always given his all in life and I have seen that most certainly in every area of teaching. He has a heart for his students to be the best they can be and has a knack at meeting them where they are at individually. At the same time, he’s able to address the needs of the class as a whole. He cares deeply about his school and his district. He has served on numerous committees. Every year when teachers are setting up their classes, he is often called upon to help them out with different favors from technology issues to moving heavy furniture. One year, the two other teachers on his team commented how nice it was that he had tennis balls on the bottom of the legs of each student chair. It made their chairs silent when they were scooted. Without telling those teachers, he contacted the tennis club and asked if they had old tennis balls he could have. He picked up a few hundred tennis balls, cut each one and installed them in the other classrooms for each students chair. This is just one example of how he has gone above and beyond to help not only students, co-workers, school, district but also his community. #LCOY

Sandra Posted over a year ago

Brody watched my daughter struggle in the grade before him, it broke his heart. He called us during summer break and requested her to be in his class. That literally changed her heart for school! She had a complete 180 turn around loves going to school now and I can never repay him for his kindness and bringing Joy back to my daughter’s life.

Chelsea Posted over a year ago

Woohoo! Good job, Brody! One of the best teachers I know.

Dana Posted over a year ago

Brody answers emails at all hours, any day of the week, makimg sure studemts amd parents have help with assignments and technology. He is a caring, helping teacher at all times, in or outside the classroom, always going above and beyond!