National Life program recognizes Warren elementary teacher

February 4, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout

Warren elementary school teacher Heidi Hill has been recognized by a National Life Group Foundation program that honors K-12 public school educators and staff who exemplify excellence, positive influence and leadership.  

Warren Elementary School teacher Heidi Hill. Courtesy photo

Hill, who teaches grade 3 and 4 students at The Warren School, is a nominee for a LifeChanger of the Year award, which comes with the chance to win cash prizes of up to $10,000 to share with their schools.

According to the award announcement, an anonymous colleague nominated Hill for her impact as a teacher and team member in her school. “Heidi Hill is one of those magical teachers that seem to only exist in fiction, yet I promise you that she is real,” her nominator wrote, praising Hill for her unique approach with students that’s “persistent, understanding and  gentle” and “filled with humanity and respect.”   

The nominator said they believe Hill’s impact will be felt by her students for a long time. “Her expectations are reasonable and give her students the confidence to conquer obstacles later on in life,” the colleague said. “I wish I could bottle her care and sprinkle a little in every classroom in the country so that every child feels fully seen and heard… Heidi is not one to seek praise, but she certainly deserves it.”

Read the full nomination on Heidi Hill’s LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile here. 

LifeChanger of the Year receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia annually. It will give out 18 awards during the 2022-2023 school year: a $10,000 grand prize; four $5,000 grand prize finalist awards; 10 LifeChanger awards with a $3,000 prize.

It also awards a $5,000 spirit award to the nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination (gauged in part by posts on their profile page). Its $3,000 capstone award goes to a nominee who is retiring at the end of the school year; its $5,000 spotlight award goes to a nominee in a specific discipline each year. 

Criteria include: making a positive impact in the lives of students; enhancing school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride; demonstrating exemplary leadership; having a record of professional excellence, commitment to building a nurturing learning environment and displaying the highest moral and ethical standards.  

All funds are to be shared with the winner’s school or district.

Hill lives in South Duxbury and previously coached Harwood Field Hockey for nine years.