Abby McCarty was nominated by her mother, Mary McCarty, who is also an educator.
Mary recognizes Abby's hard work and dedication to her students, colleagues, and overall school culture and climate. Abby begins her day with her special education students and ends her day in her role as head cheer coach.
Abby has a variety of students with special needs that range from autism, emotional problems, handicaps, or a combination of disorders. She provides stimulating multisensory lessons that include life skills such as cooking and laundry. She provides field trips to places that other students have privileges to attend.
"One annual event that Abby started in her first year of teaching was to collect donated homecoming mums for the entire special education department," Mary said. "The smiles on these students' faces were priceless."
Lufkin High School is a 6A high school, and Abby was named head cheer coach in the middle of her first year of teaching special education. She oversees roughly 50+ cheerleaders on three squads. In the middle of this school year, her Activities Director suffered a severe heart attack. Abby and her assistant coach filled in some of those duties and responsibilities to ensure that things would run smoothly. As cheer coach, she is in charge of planning pep rallies and other spirit related duties for all sports.
Abby brings enthusiasm through cheer, and heart through her special needs students, which positively affects her school culture and climate.
"I have personally heard many of Abby's colleagues, parents, and administrators compliment her creative teaching, coaching and especially her work ethic," Mary said. "She gives 100% and works many long hours attending games and supervising her students."
"I may sound like a bragging proud mother, but I recognize her tireless efforts and her huge heart that she has for all of her students," Mary continued. "The district honored her with Newcomer of the Year at her school last year. In my opinion, she has strived to improve and grow even more in her second year. To say I am a proud parent is an understatement. As a fellow educator, she has won my respect. She has truly changed my life."
Abby McCarty is without a doubt a true servant leader. She has a servant's heart. Abby is always providing opportunities for her students, as well as her cheer team, to achieve their personal best. Those around her are influenced by her leadership ability. Many are inspired by her desire to look at each individual student's potential. I have seen her time and time again step up and plan events that will add value to her students and to promote school community and spirit.
There is not a more deserving person for this award than Abby. People are born to do certain things and Abby was born to educate and bring joy to this world. She is passionate and patient with her special needs kids and loves them as her own. Being a special education teacher is a fulltime job in itself but she also excels in being the varsity cheer coach for the school! How is that even possible to be so great?! Abby is a wonderful asset for LISD and already has won life changer of they year in my book!
Abby McCarty was my little girls special needs cheer coach. I don't trust many people to care for my daughter without me being right by her but Abby is amazing! She won my daughters heart as well as mine and most importantly she gained my trust. It's an unforgettable moment in my mind when Abby held my daughter's hand as she walked her into the first cheer practice. I cried...happy tears. What Abby did for my daughter by coaching the special needs squad was life changing. Her patience with all of the special needs children on the squad was unending. She always had a smile on her face and love in her heart for each child and family. It was obvious that the squad was very personal to her. Something she was proud to do and a way for her to share her talent with children who might not otherwise have this type of opportunity. Her positive attitude was and continues to be an inspiration to myself and anyone else who is blessed enough to have Abby in their life. We love our "Miss Abby" and we continue to be inspired by who she is and all that she does for so many others!
I have known Abby for quite sometime and her love of her students shines through her workday. She has a sweet spirit and loving heart toward her students and she always looks for ways to encourage them to reach their goals. She is one in a million and lufkin isd is so very lucky to have her as one of their own!!!
It takes a special person to teach special students. Whether it is coordinating a pep rally or encouraging a precious child, Abby is always willing and prepared for ALL of our special children. We speak of well-rounded children, Abby is a well-rounded educator. As a retired educator, it is refreshing to see a young teacher so devoted to her profession.
I’ve watched Abby grow up from afar. She is such a class act and a wonderful role model. Recently, I stumbled upon a YouTube video of Abby testing her students one-on-one with curriculum-based measures. I am a professor of education in Colorado, thus I provided her link to the students in my Assessment in the Special Needs Classroom course so that they could all learn from her. Abby is so deserving of this recognition, as she truly is a Lifechanger!
Abby has such a sweet spirit. Her love for all students is evident in the work she does. During the summer, instead of taking time off, she chooses to work with the younger special needs students during ESY. She is truly a lifechanger.
Abby McCarty - I have known her since birth til her 24 years of age now and can not tell you what a dedicated hard worker that she was throughout high school and college days . She loves helping others and shows it in everything she does. She deserves this award for creating a special ed cheer team herself and work she does with her Lufkin special ed students. Cheer coach takes up all her other time in her day. Always doing for others comes first for her.
Abby is incredible! I first worked with Abby during Summer School for Special Education students. She was a college student. She was fabulous. She loved every child no matter what she was doing with them, academic skills, art skills, even potty training. I have worked with her several times since that first summer. She is now a certified teacher and continues to let her God given talents shine for the good of children in our area!
When I think of Abby McCarty I think of a firecracker. Lots of spark in such a small package. She is dedicated, hard working and definitely a go getter. I’ve had the pleasure of seeing her in action and working with her as well. She is efficient and well deserving of this honor.
I have known Abby McCarty since she was in the third grade. Abby started as a student and through the years she became a teachers assistant and then an employee. I’m vey proud of Abby and all of her accomplishments. She is passionate about her students and their success. Her work ethic, and character are exemplar and she will make sure the task at hand is performed and completed with everyone’s best interest a priority. Her students are so fortunate to have such a wonderful educator and mentor. She is a lifechanger.
I taught Abby when she was in our teacher preparation program and knew from the moment she engaged in class she was a committed educator, an advocate for students, and a gem to our profession. Abby is the teacher we want for our own children and for all children. She embodies hope in time that needs hope, promise, and possibilities.
Dr. Breen
Abby and I met our freshmen year of college and since then have become great friends! Abby is one of the most deserving educators and people within her community. She grew up in the Lufkin area and has shown through volunteer and selfless acts of kindness that she wants to make a difference within the special needs community! She not only went to college to follow her passion for teaching but also put in the work to become a collegiate cheerleader for 4 years. Abby deserves to be awarded for her all the blood,sweat, and tears as she continues to support and teach her students that they can grow up to be all they can be. She is truly inspiring and is a force to reckoned with at such a young age. An award like this will only help Abby further her career but provide motivation! I love you Abby! Good Luck!
I have known Abby McCarty and her family for many years. My son attended Stephen F. Austin University with Abby and they were also on the SFA cheer team together. Abby is one of the friendliest, nicest, and hard working people I have ever known. She loves her students and brings joy to their lives every day. She goes the extra mile to ensure they have the best future possible after their time is done at Lufkin High School. She not only teaches them the skills they need to use in daily tasks, but also makes sure they are able to participate in fun activities during football season, holidays, and field trips just like all the other students at Lufkin High School. Abby’s work ethic is impeccable for someone so young and so new to the teaching field, but that is no surprise to all her friends who have watched her grow up into such a special and loving teacher. I know that Abby would benefit greatly from receiving the Life Changer of the Year Award for her classroom, but homestly her students are the real winners for having their lives changed forever by having Abby as their teacher.
Abby deserves this award. I have known Abby for a very long time but I had the previledge to be her Bible Study leader. She is a loving and caring person. I could always count on her to help a new person feel accepted. She has gentleness anout her that draws others to her. No matter who you are you feel as though you are special to Abby. You really are special to her. I do believe that Abby does change lives, one person at a time. She will always have her light shining!
I first met Abby when she was still in high school. When I first put my kids in Academy she was also attending the same gym and my daughter would watch all of the “big girls”, as my daughter used to call them, as they would cheer and tumble. It wasn’t long after that my kids were doing cheer and later on watching Miss Abby dedicate her time to Super Stars @ Academy and it was so inspiring to my kids. It has shown my kids how true kind hearted people are supposed to be. No judgment, just acceptance and patience. I am proud of Abby and so are my kids! Our community is truly blessed to have such an amazing person giving back daily! Thank you Abby for all that you do and so many lives that you touch and change!
You could not choose a better person for this award than Abby McCarty! She is selfless in her love and service of the special needs children at Lufkin High School. She started a homecoming mum and garter program for these children to ensure that ALL students get to take part in the fun and spirit of the Lufkin homecoming festivities. Her holistic approach to teaching enables her to touch both the minds and hearts of these kiddos. She is also the varsity cheer sponsor and is a wonderful example to these students as well. She has breathed new life into this program. Since her appointment as head of the program, she has worked to improve the spirit and morale of Lufkin High School for all students. She has provided expanded opportunities for the cheer program such as taking them to the UIL Cheer competition. It takes a special person to balance both of the large, important roles Abby holds at Lufkin High School. As a college student, Abby combined her love for cheerleading and serving the special needs community by creating a special needs cheer team at a local cheer facility. This program is free to all individuals that wish to participate and provides creative movement and the chance to participate with a team at cheer competitions. This program continues today and is an excellent example of how Abby continues to improve the lives and opportunities of special needs individuals in our community. There is a line in William Shakespeare’s, A Midsummer Night’s Dream that says, “though she be but little, she is fierce.” This describes Abby McCarty perfectly. She is fierce in her love, service and sacrifice for the children of Lufkin, specifically the underserved special needs population. This award would allow her to do even more for these special kiddos that she cares so much about. Abby McCarty is truly a “life changer” and you could not pick anyone better for this award! We are blessed to have her at Lufkin. #LufkinU
I have known Abby since she was in grade school at St. Cypricans School. She always had kind words and super big heart for anyone she came in contact with. She never meet a stranger. She has been blessed with a great gift of working with the special eduction children. She is a great asset to Lufkin ISD.
Abby is truly an amazing! Always there for her students. It takes someone with a heart of gold to work with SPED children and Abby is 24 karat! She has been such a postitive role model for so many. Abby McCarty is a life changer!
Hi!! I have only had the chance to be friends with Abby for a little over a year, but in that year I have witnessed a heart of GOLD! She always puts everyone else first and I see first hand how much extra time she puts in after hours. She is always working on a new project and sometimes more than one, for both cheer and her classroom!! If anyone deserves this award, it’s Abby!!
It's been fun watching Abby grow up cheering on many crowds and students most of her life as a young child on Academy cheer team, middle school, high school and then SFA cheerleader. Currently in her role as an educator and cheer coach, Abby is a gift to our high school campus and students body speciclfically her cheerleaders and special needs students. Her interactions with high school students are professional, kind and encouraging. She has high expectations for them and truly wants the best for all students. It is my pleasure to recommend Abby McCarty for this honor... she is a beautiful, talented, and most deserving life changer??
Abby is a wonderful and .amazing young Lady!
Abby was cheer couch for my special needs son and I noticed right off how she listens to and treats special needs individuals with impeccable respect, making them feel as though they are the most important person there. She lets them take the lead and meets them on their level. Her patience is admirable and inspiring. Abby is one of those people that glows with the love of Jesus. Her soul matches her outward beauty. Most importantly, Abby doesn't think up how to be the person she is....her actions just come natural because its WHO she is.
Abby has a heart bigger than Texas! Such a servants heart. She is very deserving of this honor. All who know her feel blessed.
Abby is a wonderful person with a heart of gold! She makes an impact with everyone she comes in contact with. She has such compassion for students with learning differences. Abby doesn’t just do her job; she eats, sleeps, and breathes it. She’s constantly thinking of ways to bring events and life skills to her students that might otherwise never have an opportunity to do. Abby exemplifies the title...Life Changer! She’s changing the lives of her students each and every day.
Having know up since she was in high school, I have watched her grow up. Abby has been a wonderful example & influence for my own girls. I am thankful they have such a positive encouraging role model to look up too. As for her students, Abby goes above & beyond to make sure her Special Ed Students are included in regular high school activities from making sure they all have a mum to wear for Homecoming to making sure they have fancy clothes to wear to their prom, Abby is definitely a blessing to all of those under her stewardship. I am proud to call her not only a colleague, but a friend as well!
Abby is selfless, motivated, creative, and just simply amazing! She is a Special Education teacher that changes the lives in her students with teaching them life skills. Besides teaching Special Education, she is also is the coach for the cheer squads at LHS. She is a role model for her students and the community! She is doing great things at Lufkin High School and deserves this award.
Abby has the unique ability to know what her students need before they do! She never ceases to amaze me with the love and patience she shows to each one of her autistic students! She was born to teach!
Amazing woman!! Always has energy and a powerful influence on my daughter and her cheer squad! She is a rock star! I’m so beyond thankful and blessed to have her in my daughters life!
Abby’s enthusiasm is contagious. Her love for her students shines brightly. She teaches a unique population, and is dedicated to providing them with the best educational experiences she can.
I believe this award should go to Abby. I cheered and went to college with her at SFA and even before she was hired, cared so much about making a difference in people's lives and bringing about positive change. Abby is an amazing, genuine educator and adores her students at LHS! Go pack!
Abby is an inspiration to all who know her and know of her. She has selflessly devoted her time to her students and developed a cheer program for special needs children at a local gym. She also raises money to get homecoming mums for her students at homecoming, so that they feel part of the festivities. Abby is an amazing woman, blessed beyond measure, and I feel very grateful to have her in my community.
I cheered with Abby in college at SFA. I have not only been impressed with allllll she has done at Lunfkin, but this didn’t start when her career started! Even in college Abby went above and beyond for special needs children. At that time Abby worked at an All-Star cheer gym in Lufkin and put together a special needs cheer team that “competed” in cheer competitions! No matter what their disabilities were she took on the challenge and taught these kids how to do rolls, kart wheels, cheer stunts, cheers, but most importantly she taught them self-confidence! There are not many college students who could pull this off. I knew when she went to Lufkin ISD she was going to do great things, and to say the least, she has!
She is a remarkable young woman. Her love for cheer and teaching is in her heart. Abby has a heart as huge as Texas for people and children. So proud of her and to be able to watch her journey to this life she is leaving for others to follow.
Keep shining Abby... Her parents have always been great loving role models in their children's life's as well as others.
Katie DuBose
Abby is simply amazing in all aspects of her professional world! She is constantly looking for ways to enrich the experience of her students. She is blessed to have two very amazing classroom environments... her high school special education kiddos and also 3 of the LHS cheer squads!
The cheer coach job is sooo demanding outside of the normal workday hours of a normal teacher! Every extra-curricular athletic team falls in her scope of events and activities to coordinate support for at the school all year long!
Then her special education students have reaped a grand reward under her care and teaching! I am in awe again and again at the efforts she puts into her classroom to provide such a variety of stimulation for those precious kids!
It’s evidenced on the smile on her face when you see her in her zone... she’s a life changer who is definitely changing lives daily!!
Abby has a beautiful soul and a creative spirit that she uses to bring opportunities of joy to her students.
Abby is an incredible person, teacher, and coach! I’ve witnessed first hand over the past few years her fearless dedication to her school and team. From organizing lesson plans to building classroom furniture or parade floats on her holidays and weekends, she truly shines as a committed leader and educator. I am so very thankful that my daughter has had the opportunity to be exposed to someone so driven and devoted to her job and students. There have been many times over the past two years that she could’ve easily given up when adversity arose, but she didn’t ! I can’t sing her praises enough! She’s an incredible mentor/ example for our kids!
Abby has been a life changer for so many not only on her campus, but also in our community. She has a beautiful heart for all people, and boundless energy, enthusiasm, and passion for teaching. She is always positive and has a smile on her face. The opportunities she has created for her special education students are truly exceptional. She is a gift to the teaching profession and to all who know her.
Two things come to mind when thinking about Coach McCarty: passion and heart. She is full of passion and it is evident in the way she coaches and leads Lufkin Cheer. Her heart is like no other. It is filled with compassion for everyone. Not only does her passion and heart shine when she coaches, but it also shines when she interacts with her special education students. I plan to go into the special education career field and I hope that I can show my future students the same love and passion that she does.
Abby is an extraordinary young lady. I have seen her grow from an aspiring teen wanting to make a difference to a young adult who has done just that! I am in awe of her drive and loving spirit. She has always been such a sweetheart and excellent role model for my daughter. This award has her name written all over it as she has and will continue to be a life changer for so many!
I first met Abby when she started a special needs cheer team in Lufkin. I went with my patient to these practices and competitions and loved Abby from the first time I met her. She is so caring and loved each child so much. Very encouraging and I know makes a wonderful teacher. I would love to see her win this award and give back to her classroom.
Amazing person! Changing lives!
Abby is one of the sweetest people ever. She dedicates so much time, blood, sweat &
Tears into helping her kiddos thrive. She deserves this so much
I have known Abby as a student and watched her grow into a living, caring, selfless educator. She is well deserving and you will not meet a sweeter soul!
Abby is a phenomenal teacher and gives her students a positive and nurturing classroom. Her focus is to enable students new experiences and to be successful in their endeavors. She works very hard to give special needs students the opportunities to attend proms and other events. When you see her classroom, you know without a doubt, this is a teacher who cares and gives her all for her students.
Even when she is was in high school, Abby had a heart for children and especially those with special needs. She created and coached a special needs cheer group in Lufkin, and did so throughout college. That cheer team changes lives! Look at some pictures of the cheer team at competition and the sheer joy on their faces! She has dedicated her career to helping her students realize their full potential and beyond. She creates amazing events for her students that integrate them into the school culture. She has created, and continues to create, a world of encouragement where it's safe to try new things and explore new paths they may never have taking without her leadership and love. As a veteran educator and school counselor of 15 years, I can say without hesitation that Abby changes lives every minute of every day!
I had the honor of working with Coach McCarty. I love her passion, hard work, and positivity that she brings to the table. She teaches and coaches with her whole heart. Such a huge blessing to Lufkin ISD and all who know her!!
I taught Special Education classes for 7 years and I know how much participating like everyone else means to these students. Thank you so much for all you do for our LHS students!
Abby has always been so sweet and giving to those with special needs. She is an inspiration to many and her heart of gold is one of a kind.
Abby Mccarty Is one sweet hard working lady. She is always up for a challenge and never gives up. She is so dedicated to her students and is the easiest to work with. I am so blessed and honored to be able to work with her. She inspired me to go back to college this summer and follow my dream!!
Abby is such a caring and genuine person and teacher. I have known her for many years and have been so encouraged by her giving heart. She not only was my daughters cheer coach but is one of the best role models a mom could ask for. After seeing Abby work in Special Education and witnessing first hand the hard work and dedication it takes my daughter is following in her role models footsteps by majoring in Special Education. Abby puts in long hours teaching during the day and coaching cheerleaders in the afternoon and evening events. She always as a cheerful smile on her face and a go getter attitude. I am thankful my daughter has such a great role model!
Two things come to mind when thinking about Coach McCarty: passion and heart. She is full of passion and it is evident in the way she coaches and leads Lufkin Cheer. Her heart is like no other. It is filled with compassion for everyone. Not only does her passion and heart shine when she coaches, but it also shines when she interacts with her special education students. I plan to go into the special education career field and I hope that I can show my future students the same love and passion that she does.
I have observed Abby as a high school cheerleader, SFA cheerleader, cheer coach at Academy of Gymnastics and Dance, and now as a special ed teacher/cheer coach. Abby has changed numerous lives in each of these positions. She always has a positive outlook, a smile on her face, and a helpful/caring attitude. She coaches cheer skills and life skills. She coaches some of the most physically and mentally challenged just as efficiently as she coaches some of the brightest and most athletic. I have heard people of all ages say, when I “grow up”, I want to be like Abby. She has my vote for Life Changer of the Year!
I don’t know Abby as a teacher but I can only imagine she’s nothing less than the best! I can’t think of anyone better to receive this honor.
Love love love Abby! She is so sweet and adorable! Abby absolutely adores her sweet students and is always looking for fun and exciting activities for them to do! She’s definitely a life changer! ??
Abby has been one of my closest friends for as long as I can remember. Believe it or not she has ALWAYS had a heart of gold. She is the first one to lend a helping hand and will give you the shirt off her back in a heartbeat. I can't tell you the countless times she has stayed at LHS till 9pm finishing things for the kids or the countless hours she spends on her time off decorating, creating lesson plans and making sure every kids needs are catered too. She is truly a gift to everyone she encounters and these kids are beyond blessed to have someone like her teaching them everyday. She deserves this award and so much more!
I have been blessed to know Abby for a long time now. Even as a high school student, she was changing lives all around her! She is who I aspire my daughters to grow up to be! She is an all around amazing person! From her passion for ALL people, to her love of the special needs community, she is all around an amazing woman. Her personality lights up a room, even when she isn’t speaking, her smile is contagious, and has the ability to boost moral.
I could not think of a better woman to receive the honor of “Life Changer!” At such a young age she has already changed so many lives! I cannot imagine how many she will continue to change in the future!
Abby is very energetic and passionate about our special education department. She has brought new ideas to us. The students love her and are learning about new things every day. She has even inspired many teachers, including myself. Abby is amazing and I’m so glad she works here with us!
Abby is just awesome !! She does so much for her students and always has a smile on her face . She makes all of her kids feel important and loved . From getting mums for all of her kids to taking them to a prom .... she does it all!!
I have been an educator for 24 years and have never seen a teacher with such heart as Abby McCarty. Her dedication to her students is exemplified in every opportunity she plans for her students and every effort she makes toward school spirit and climate at Lufkin High School!
Abby is so creative in how she makes her special needs students feel valued and learn life skills day after day! She lives out her philosophy of "Every child, Every opportunity, Everyday". Every year she asks students at Lufkin High School if they would donate their homecoming corsages so each one of her special needs students would have one and be able to wear it to school. She also takes her students to a special prom each year. Abby ensures that her students have life experiences that they will never forget!
As a cheer coach, Abby promotes school spirit in so many creative ways! She has brought the community together by involving spirit groups from all ages at high school football games. She works hard to create events that bring everyone together.
Abby McCarty is definitely a life changer with a heart for her students, school and community!
Abby absolutely loves her students and wants them to learn and experience as much of the high school environment as possible. She works hard to provide activities for them that they never dreamed they would experience. Her endless energy expands to the cheerleaders and school spirit programs. She is the teacher/coach that we all want our children to have.
Abby is truly a difference maker. I have watched her touch so many lives, students and parents alike over the years. She is an inspiration to me in so many ways. The term "life changer" could not be more appropriate. I am so very proud to have her in my life.
Abby is passionate about teaching and her students learning. I feel she truly wants her students to have the best high school experience, so she dedicates her time and resources to giving them wonderful experiences inside and out of the classroom. She has brought fresh ideas and a willing attitude to her profession, and she puts her students at the heart of all she does. Her teaching motto is "every student, every chance, every day"! She teaches and adheres to this belief. Simply awesome!
