Lake Washington School District health services manager Dr. Keandra Thompson 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.

Dr. Thompson was nominated by her supervisor, Dr. Shannon Hitch, for her leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Thompson began her role as health services manager in January of 2021. She immediately became responsible for the health and safety of the learning community.  

According to the press release from National Life Group Foundation, Dr. Thompson brought knowledge, experience and expert guidance to her district's leadership team. She helped the team make incredibly difficult decisions and created safety protocols when her district's most vulnerable students resumed school in the fall of 2020. Dr. Thompson maintained a sense of calm, but she worked with intensity and urgency in responding to this crisis. She remained focused on the needs of students and advocated for equity throughout her district's response. She performed at the highest levels at a time when everyone was working well beyond their capacity. 

"Dr. Thompson was the leader we didn't know we would need, at a time when we were about to experience one of the greatest impacts on both our community and within education,” Dr. Hitch said. “The complexities involved in setting up public health systems, in an understaffed district, while being responsive to urgent daily needs...there are simply no words to describe her workload. Yet, she still shows up every day with positivity, compassion, and a deep love for students. We are truly blessed to have her working in LWSD.”

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