Third Time the Charm: Grannemann’s Dr. Jessica Strong Earns 3rd LifeChanger of the Year Nomination

Grannemann Elementary School is proud to celebrate math specialist Dr. Jessica Strong! She is a third-time nominee for National Life Group’s 2025–26 LifeChanger of the Year Award, a prestigious national honor recognizing K–12 educators and school district employees who make a lasting difference in students' lives through excellence, leadership, and positive influence.

Dr. Strong was nominated by her friend and colleague, Lakesha Robinson, who praised her for transforming the learning experience for students and teachers through her creativity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

At Grannemann Elementary, Strong’s impact extends far beyond math instruction. Her positive energy helps shape the school’s culture, creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where students, families, and staff feel valued and supported. Through family engagement opportunities such as Math Mornings, she builds trust and strong partnerships with families, while her intentional celebration of staff achievements fosters pride and unity among colleagues.

Strong is also known for designing culturally relevant math tasks that help students see themselves as capable thinkers and confident problem solvers. Her before-school Rise and Solve Math Club has become a powerful space where students collaborate, embrace productive struggle, and discover joy in mathematics, which often reshapes how they view themselves as learners.

Her leadership reaches across classrooms and grade levels. Dr. Strong coaches teachers, mentors new educators, and helps shape instructional practices that center on equity and engagement. A dedicated lifelong learner who recently earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.), she leads with integrity, humility, and heart, consistently prioritizing what is best for students and holding herself to the highest professional and moral standards.

Reflecting on the honor, Dr. Strong shared:

“Being nominated for LifeChanger of the Year for the third year in a row is incredibly humbling. This continued recognition reminds me that the work we do at Grannemann—building mathematically confident students, supporting teacher growth, and creating inclusive learning spaces—truly resonates with our community. Each nomination reflects not just my efforts, but the collective commitment of our students, families, and colleagues who show up every day believing in the power of equitable mathematics education. Whether through Rise and Solve Math Club, coaching sessions, or family math nights, we're proving that when students see themselves as capable problem solvers and experience joy in learning, transformational change happens. Three years of nominations reinforce my belief that this work matters and inspires me to continue advocating for every child's mathematical potential and creating spaces where everyone belongs.”

Robinson echoed this sentiment, adding, “Every day, Ms. Strong changes lives through her belief in every child’s potential, commitment to building teacher capacity, and unwavering dedication to creating spaces where students can thrive academically and emotionally. She is a true example of what it means to be a LifeChanger.”

Since 2011, LifeChanger of the Year has recognized and rewarded more than 8,600 K–12 teachers, administrators, and school employees across 2,300+ school districts nationwide, awarding more than $850,000 in cash prizes to educators and their schools.
 

The winners were announced in early March and selected based on their positive impact on students, leadership, professional excellence, commitment to nurturing learning environments, and adherence to the highest ethical standards.

Grannemann Elementary School is honored to have Dr. Jessica Strong representing the Hazelwood School District on a national stage, and we are deeply grateful for the meaningful, lasting impact she makes every day for students, families, and staff.