LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Becky Gordon was nominated by an anonymous student.

"As a high school student, I have faced many challenges socially and mentally," said the student. "Moving from Denver to Pewaukee and going to Arrowhead, I wasn't excited to attend a new high school. Again. Being a new student takes work. It's my sixth time, so I'm used to it. I had a new student orientation a few weeks before the first day. I was not happy. Although I was incredibly nervous to walk through the door, the minute I walked in, Arrowhead's North Campus Assistant Principal, Ms. Gordon, greeted me."
 
"After a few introductory remarks, she kindly said, 'If you need anything, never hesitate to ask.' With relief, I continued walking and approached the commons. I learned the names of a few new students and met some of my future classmates there. But I still didn't know what to expect on the first day," said the student.

"A few first-day struggles did appear, but Ms. Gordon was there to help every step of the way. I had trouble navigating the new online resources and had a slight panic attack in Physics first period. The day already wasn't going well. However, Ms. Gordon came to the rescue and assured me there was nothing to worry about. The anvil of first-day stress was surely crushing me, but Ms. G easily lifted it by coming to my aid," said the student.

"As the week went on, it became easier to become more comfortable at school. Any time I wasn't feeling right or was a bit stressed, I would always seek safety in Ms. Gordon's Office. The four blue ways made me feel like it was a shelter from the dreadful outside hallways. By the end of the week, she had taught me how to be brave. I didn't know it yet, but Ms. Gordon instilled a crucial lesson," said the student.

"Our conversations would consist of topics anywhere from the disturbing thoughts I had that morning or the vape/smoke detectors in the bathrooms. Ms. Gordon's smile is so contagious it is crazy," said the student.

"Guess what, I even have cameras in the parking lot," Ms. Gordon would say.

"No way," I would respond in disbelief. 

"I will always remember my candy visits or daily tea talk. Ms. Gordon made me feel at home here at Arrowhead, and I will be forever thankful for her. She has truly changed my life, and I will always credit her for that," said the student.

"But what made Ms. Gordon special to me was that she could tell when I was having a rough week. Drowning in anxiety and suffering from dysthymia, she would hand-write postcards and mail them to my home. The cards felt like a life raft in the tossing waves of overthinking. Filled with colorful stickers and motivating words, they always brightened my day," said the student.

"I realized that she used empathy to understand how I was feeling. It's the first time I've had an educator care about my mental health and well-being. My day is instantly better with the small wave and smiles she gives when we pass in the hallway. She always made an amazing effort to make me feel welcome in the Arrowhead community, and I will forever praise her. Ms. Gordon, you are an amazing person. Thank you for being the light in my darkness," said the student.