LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Emily Varnell was nominated by her colleague, Kim Bailey.

Some people make a difference in a classroom. Some make a difference in a school. Then, there are those rare people who make a difference in an entire community. Ms. Varnell has a gift for turning the ordinary into extraordinary. Through books, laughter, performances, celebrations, and countless acts of kindness, she makes every child feel seen, valued, and loved. She gives her time, her talents, her creativity, and most importantly, her heart. The memories she creates will live in children's hearts long after they leave the school. She is more than a media specialist. She is a memory maker, an encourager, a dream builder, and a true LifeChanger!

Ms. Varnell doesn't just open books; she opens doors. She helps create memories, and she fills her school with joy. She is the master of ceremonies for all of the school events. She coordinates the infamous school "Dog Walk" every Friday morning. Every single student files into the gymnasium each Friday morning. A different character trait is celebrated each week, and a student of the month is celebrated each month. Parents and grandparents fill the bleachers to see their student walk the "Red Carpet" as they are celebrated. As the music plays, each student gets to walk down the red carpet, receiving hundreds of high-fives from friends.

She also oversees her school's drama productions and the morning announcements. She has fifth-grade students working each morning doing announcements for the entire school. Her energy is endless and infectious.

Perhaps the most amazing thing Ms. Varnell does for the school and community is her labor of love, "Read Around Town Night," in Cohutta. The town of Cohutta, Georgia, is transformed for one magical night. Happening the week of Halloween, teachers pick their favorite "spooky" books to read at various places around town. Some teachers may be at the General Store while others may be on the steps outside the Red Wolfe Grill. Local businesses are more than happy to be part of the event. The mayor even had his own station this year just outside of City Hall, where he read to groups of children as they gathered for a story and, of course, some candy! The children realize that everyone can be a reader, and reading can be part of something bigger than just something they have to do inside the classroom.

Ms. Varnell is busy this night, going from station to station to make sure everyone has everything they need. She snaps photos to create wonderful memories for families on the school website and Facebook page. When former students stop to /listen to one of their former teachers read, they can't help but smile when they realize that their teachers haven't forgotten them.

"Sometimes, with the digital world that we live in, we forget that community is more than something on a screen. Seeing families walking the streets of our small town, meeting people face to face, reaching out to shake someone's hand, and having our children enjoy great literature is something not every community gets to experience. Emily Varnell makes that happen and so much more for our school and community. She has been doing this for over 22 years. Our school has recently added special needs classrooms. Emily goes out of her way to find ways to engage all children and makes books come to life for our special needs students," said Bailey. "While she has been recognized by the Teacher of the Year Association in our district as being someone who goes 'Above and Beyond,' Ms. Varnell deserves recognition as a true Life Changer!"