Grapeland Educator Nominated for National Award

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

GRAPELAND – Grapeland Elementary Principal Don Jackson has been nominated for 2016-2017 national LifeChanger of the Year Award, presented by National Life Group.

The nomination was announced during a ceremony held on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at the Grapeland Elementary School.

Grapeland ISD Superintendent Gregg Spivey opened the program and introduced Chotsie and Danny Bickerstaff, representatives with Retirement Education Partners.

“There are over 3.1 million K-12 public school teachers in the United States. Less than 500 are nominated annually for this prestigious award we call the LifeChanger of the Year,” Bickerstaff said as she began.

She spoke directly to the students and said while they might not be aware of it yet, there was a LifeChanger nominee in the room and revealed it was GES Elementary Principal Don Jackson.

“Mr. Jackson has been chosen because of the lives he is changing through his tireless efforts and his enthusiasm,” Bickerstaff said.

Bickerstaff listed some of the various organizations and initiatives started by the principal to help improve the both the elementary school and school district. Among these were: the Ambassador Program; the Young Businessmen’s Club; a choir club; a book club; the REACH (Relationship, Encouragement, Attitude, Coaching and Help) program; and the Triple A program.

“Above all,” she continued, “I believe, and I’m sure all of you believe, Mr. Jackson leads by example.”

There are a total of 15 LifeChanger of the Year Awards, Bickerstaff explained. The winners will receive a cash award split between the winner and the school. The national grand prize award is $10,000, she said.

Before turning the podium over to Jackson, Bickerstaff informed the students they could help their principal by encouraging their parents to log on to the LifeChanger website at www.lifechangeroftheyear.com and express how Jackson has impacted the lives of either or both the parents’/students’ lives.

“It’s an honor to even be considered for this prestigious award,” Jackson said at the start of his remarks.

The principal thanked the Bickerstaffs, his wife Darlene and Grapeland ISD Superintendent Gregg Spivey for their support.

“All I really have to say is I love all of y’all. I hope you understand that and know that I mean it. That doesn’t mean I will always be nice to you. Sometimes I have to tell you when you’ve done wrong, but we certainly want to tell you when you have done right, also,” he said.

“I thank God for putting me in the right place at the right time,” Jackson continued. “All of our staff members and all of our staff members – know that every day I am motivated to work with y’all.”

Jackson stressed he and everyone at the elementary school simply wanted the students to be the best they could possibly be and to not limit themselves.

“As I have told you before, I know we are a small town but you don’t have to have a small dream or small goals,” he said. “They can be as big as you want them to be. Our job here is to help you make your dream come true. Dreams don’t ever just come true. You have to make them come true. Your goals – they never just come to you. You have to earn and work for them.”

According to the National LifeChanger website, “LifeChanger of the Year is an annual program funded and run by National Life Group and the National Life Group Foundation that recognizes and rewards K-12 educators and school employees from around the country.”

The nominees run the gamut from a math teacher who spends time after school tutoring students who might be struggling, a guidance counselor who steers students in a direction best suited for the student or the custodian who provides encouragement to students, the web page stated.

“The program,” the site further stated, “aims to honor those who are making a significant difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership.”

After the ceremony, Jackson was asked what this nomination meant to him.

“It means the world. My goal in life is to make the lives of those around me better and to encourage people,” Jackson said.

“I know where I came from and it wasn’t easy to lose my father when I was eight-years-old and be in a family of seven with my mom,” he said.

“We had to have government assistance and live in a home that was cold in the winter and hot in the summer. I just thank God for the process because I wouldn’t be the man I am without it,” Jackson said.

“Now,” he added, “I want to capture every moment to try and encourage someone who might be in the same spot I used to be and let them know while it might not be the best right now, your future can still be bright.”

Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].

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