2-16-2023 10:30pm

Little Miami Schools Educator Nominated for National LifeChanger of the Year Award

Beth Callahan Editor

Dawn Gasper with her therapy dog/worker bee, Winston.

Morrow, OH– Little Miami Elementary School counselor Dawn Gasper has been nominated for the 2022-23 National LifeChanger of the Year award. Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, LifeChanger of the Year recognizes and rewards the very best K-12 educators and school district employees across the United States who are making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.

Gasper devotes weekdays and weekends to serving her community. She can often be found meeting with one of the community resource groups brought in to benefit students, or gathering with a family in need of support through a difficult season of life.

On a Saturday, Gasper can be found working with a Boy Scout on his Eagle project or pruning the flowers in the sensory garden she maintains year-round as a benefit for kids who use nature as a regulation tool. Her positivity is contagious as she moves from classroom to classroom and student to student.

“She is priceless and worth a lifetime of LifeChanger of the Year awards. Our hive is a thriving, healthy community because of the time, energy, and love she pours into it daily, which is worth its weight in gold (or honey) to us,” stated Alison Gates, her principal that nominated her for the award.

"Dawn Gasper is famous for three things at Little Miami Elementary School; the speed at which she moves/distance she covers in a school day, leaving her phone and glasses everywhere, and being the mom of Winston," said Gates. "She may never make the $200 billion revenue the honey bees bring in, but to the past, present, and future students, staff, and families of Little Miami, she is priceless and worth a lifetime of LifeChanger of the Year awards. Our hive is a thriving, healthy community because of the time, energy, and love she pours into it daily, which is worth its weight in gold (or honey) to us," added Gates in her nomination letter.

About LifeChanger of the Year:

Each school year, LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Eighteen individual LifeChanger of the Year awards will be given during the 2022-2023 school year.

(1) Grand Prize Winner – will receive $10,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(4) Grand Prize Finalists – will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(10) LifeChanger Award Winners – will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(1) Spirit Award Winner – This award is given to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school/district.
(1) Capstone Award Winner - This award is given to a nominee retiring at the end of the 2022-23 school year. The winner will receive $3,000 to be shared with their school or district.
(1) Spotlight Award Winner – This award is given to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. The winner will receive $5,000 to be shared with their school or district.

Winners are chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals, and will be announced in early 2023. Nominees must be K-12 teachers or school district employees. To be considered for an award, nominees must:

Make a positive impact in the lives of students,
Enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride,
Demonstrate exemplary leadership at the school and/or district level,
Possess a proven record of professional excellence,
Show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning,
Adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards,

To view Dawn Gasper’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.