Santa Fe High School vocal music teacher Caleb Heaton has been nominated for the 2021-2022 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.
Heaton was nominated by his mother, Lisa Heaton, for his dedication to his students over his career so far. Mr. Heaton is in his first year as the head of the Santa Fe High School choir department and his third year as the team leader of the choral programs for SFPS.
Heaton started his formal teaching career at Ortiz Middle School (OMS) in Santa Fe, NM in 2017. In a challenging environment, he grew the school's choir program by 30%. His choirs earned many ones and twos at the Music Performance Assessment (MPA) during the three years he spent there. Ninety-nine percent of OMS students are eligible for a reduced lunch program. He brought motivation and enthusiasm to his classes, making them work while having fun at the same time.
At both OMS and Santa Fe High School, Heaton led fundraising in order to send his students, for free, to a special camp up in the Jemez Mountains called Camp Hummingbird. There, on a Friday and Saturday, the students got to enjoy the mountain atmosphere and do music workshops with a guest clinician. Some of the students had never been out of Santa Fe and into the mountains. Heaton said it was such a powerful bonding experience for him and his students, and he can't wait to do it again next year.
In her nomination, Lisa Heaton recalls what the assistant principal said to her recently about Caleb: “We are thrilled to have Mr. Heaton on staff here. He has high expectations for these students, which they need. His class requires self-discipline, which he demands. Mr. Heaton's a great role model for his students, as he shows integrity and holds them accountable. They really respect him and want to do well for him. He had big shoes to fill, and he filled them quickly. I am his evaluator, and you can tell him I said that.'"
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 2021-2022 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 2020-21 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. For 2021-22, the Spotlight Award will be given to a school nurse. 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 2022. 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
A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees can be found at http://lifechangeroftheyear.com/showspirit/.
To view Caleb Heaton’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile, or to nominate someone from your school community, visit www.LifeChangeroftheYear.com.