LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kristin Preye was nominated by an anonymous member of the community. 

Ms. Preye is a reading teacher at Balliet Elementary School and a proud mother of three who loves helping Springfield Public Schools students succeed in reading. Her colleague, Mrs. Brooke Mele, also a teacher at Balliet, attests to how wonderful Mrs. Preye is and how lucky she feels to work alongside her.

"Kristin's love for her kids and her job of teaching them to read is immense," says Mele. "She holds her student to high standards while instilling a love and pride for learning within them- all at the same time. They practically leap out of their seats to get their books when she comes into the room to pick them up!"

"Her students grow as readers and learners when working with her," Mele said. "She has also taken on her training to become an incredible Reading Recovery teacher in recent years and is a highly effective and responsible instructor. She not only teaches her elementary students, but she also always takes young educators under her wing. She is a true mentor who inspires all to be passionate, dedicated, hard-working teachers and life-long learners like herself."