LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Eugena Vicars was nominated by her spouse, Johnny Vicars.

"Gena Vicars got a late start as a teacher in life," said Mr. Vicars. "She raised three wonderful boys before going back to school to get her degree and teaching certificate. She worked full-time for a school district as their outdoor learning facilitator and later as the after-school director. She spent all her free time working on her degree while working full time, trying to take care of a family and house."

Mrs. Vicars won awards yearly as Para of the Year. Finally, she won para of the entire school system in Texas. She did this with the goal of becoming a teacher and being the kind of teacher we need in this world. She got her degree, received her teaching certificate soon after, and started to teach science, which was her passion. She worked as a fifth-grade science teacher in a low-income area of Fort Worth that often had students and families living in shelters.

"Sometimes, I would see her come home in tears seeing some of the issues she would encounter with her students," said Mr. Vicars. "It was very emotionally tough at times, but she never complained or made excuses."

She excelled, bringing the kind of care to that class as if she was teaching her own kids. To her, her students were her own kids. Going above and beyond was not rare but a part of who she was. She spent as much time at home working to help students reach a level they might not have a chance to get otherwise. She spent her own time and money to create an environment that would reach students and bring learning to a level that they could take with them in their lives, no matter their situation. She brought excitement to learning for students who faced hardship in their lives so they could have one place during the day that gave them a ray of hope for the future.

"Every year, I get to see the time she puts into teaching and the amount of hours she devotes to making what she does a little better," said Mr. Vicars. "I see the time she takes to get her classroom just right and the time she takes to bring something different to every student to keep them excited about learning." 

"Gena and her team at Meadowbrook Elementary do this not for money or recognition; they do it because they care," said Mr. Vicars. "I have worked in the education field for about seven years in IT, and as with most things in life, you see the good and the bad. There are many really good teachers who care, who have more in mind with their teaching than just a job. Teaching is not a job to Gena; it is her life."

"It's easier for me to see all of this, but they say the character of someone is written by others and what others see when they display a level that few others share," said Mr. Vicars. "Regardless of prizes, I am happy to just bring attention to what Gena does, changing lives every day. I think people who do things for all the reasons needed in this field should be recognized, and I hope this nomination can do just that," said Vicars.