LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Deborah Keefe was nominated by an anonymous colleague.

Mrs. Keefe, a long-time Belchertown Public School System nurse, embraced the district-wide Care Coordinator Attendance Nurse position several years ago and transformed it into arguably one of the most critical roles in her district. She is regularly tasked by district and building-based administrators and counselors with the most challenging school avoidance cases. Mrs. Keefe develops strong relationships with these students and their families by relentlessly and affectionately contacting them, visiting their homes, and connecting them with various additional support providers when necessary. She gains their trust, helps them transition back into their daily class schedule, and continues to support them by collaborating with them, their families, and their school counselors upon their return to school. The school-based support team truly appreciates Mrs. Keefe's commitment, effort, and diligence in reintegrating the school's most challenging attendance case students back into the school environment.

"Mrs. Keefe definitely deserves consideration as a LifeChanger of the Year," said her colleague.