LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Cynthia Christiansen was nominated by her colleague and daughter, Alexis Huttie.

"Cynthia is a passionate teacher of almost 43 years. I have had the pleasure of knowing her as a dedicated colleague, but she is also my mom and the inspiration for why I became a teacher myself," said Huttie. "In 2016, Cindy retired from education after nearly 40 years of selflessness. After a year of substitute teaching, she came out of retirement, like Tom Brady, and returned to the classroom. Many thought my mom was insane to return to an, at times, thankless career, but it didn't stop her. Come to find out, while substituting in other classrooms, she missed her own classroom where she could make a difference daily. With renewed energy and focus, Cindy entered a new district and school. Though a year had passed, my mom never missed a beat, diving headfirst into her passion again."

Over the past five years, Mrs. Christiansen has been able to give her students and their families the quality instruction, support, and dedication to success that other teachers lack these days. Her 40+ years of experience creates a unique learning opportunity for her students combining the love of traditional teaching with the spice of new technology and strategies from an evolving field. Even during the most trying time of her career, teaching virtually during a pandemic, Mrs. Christiansen sought extra training on technology and embraced Zoom for her students' success. She made that period of learning as seamless as possible for her students. She continued to make learning memorable and meaningful with fun interactive lessons and themed virtual days. While other veteran teachers shuddered at the thought of virtual learning, Mrs. Christiansen accepted the challenge and kept on trucking. Her students thrived during this critical time and found success.

Any student would be lucky to have Mrs. Christiansen. In addition to her dedication to instruction, she is their greatest advocate. She is determined to help families understand their students' potential, and she provides opportunities for all her students to shine regardless of their academic levels or financial status. Mrs. Christiansen strives for her students to see beyond the poverty of their community and set goals for a life of success and happiness. This is no easy feat, as her school is one of the most impoverished in her district. Nevertheless, Mrs. Christiansen sees this challenge and still leads her students to greatness.

"I could write a book on her accomplishments and contributions to the field of education, but the greatest impact she has had through her career is that on our family," said Huttie. "As previously stated, my mom was a key reason why I entered the field of education. She has created a legacy for teachers, including my youngest sister, as well. Growing up, I saw the same drive in my mom as I do today. She was dedicated to her students as if they were her own children. I remember her tutoring an ESL student who was hit by a car and unable to go to school. My mom selflessly went to his family's restaurant and tutored him until he returned to school. I remember being so excited for her to come home with egg rolls, and it wasn't until much later in my life that I realized the impact she had on him and his family. The boy and his family became lifelong friends, and even recently, we learned of his success as an adult. To think how things would've changed if my mom hadn't dedicated herself to his success as a second grader."

"Personally, I struggled as a young student. I had the most difficult time reading," said Huttie. "The opportunity, after much thought, came for me to take a year of growth and repeat the second grade. After talking with my parents, ultimately, it was my decision. I decided to take that year of growth; the rest is history. I can only imagine how difficult it was for my mom, a second-grade teacher, to see her daughter struggle and to present such a life-changing opportunity of a year of growth to me. We tried everything, and nothing worked. She never showed me frustration at those thoughts, but rather unending support. Because of that year, I strengthened my reading and became a true scholar, receiving tons of awards, a full scholarship to college to study education, and even our District's Teacher Of The Year."

"However, the most impactful part of that year of growth was the experience I could share with my struggling students, as well as my mom's students and families who are considering that year of growth," said Huttie. "To see the possibilities through my experience offers hope to so many. It was all made possible by my mom's dedication to me. She has always shown my family how to balance a career and family, as she never missed a swim meet, soccer game, hockey game, ballet recital, piano recital, and more. She must have been beyond exhausted, sometimes staying up until 2:00 AM grading papers so that she was there for and with us when we were awake. I strive to be that today balancing between career and family. Although she is reaching the end of her career, her dedication to family is still the same with her grandkids and their extracurricular activities. She never misses an event."

"I'm grateful for the opportunity to share a taste of who Mrs. Christiansen is and how much she has impacted not only her students and their families' lives, but my family's life through a career of selflessness and dedication. We love her beyond words. And we are so proud of her," said Huttie.