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July 28 - Aug. 3, 2016 • Page 12A
LIFECHANGER Continued From Page 10A
“Growing up, I came
from a home that moved
around a lot,” Chaney said.
“I had teachers who made
me feel a certain way, like I
wasn’t capable of learning.
I don’t want anyone to feel
that way; I want kids to
know they are capable of
learning.”
Chaney said she
ensures that children
without the means to
complete a project or go on
a field trip are able to do so,
often with money from her
own pocket.
“I know how it feels to
be left out—it’s not their
fault,” Chaney said. “I don’t
have kids, and I learned
a long time ago from a
teacher in Decatur that you
take these kids and treat
them as if they were your
own.”
Lester said Chaney
has a special connection
with students—specifically
those with special
needs—and demonstrates
this connection with a
professional demeanor.
She cites examples as
“providing peace to an
angry student or that
extra push to help another
student gain confidence.”
“Ms. Chaney is what
many would refer to as
‘all-in,’” Lester said. “She
spends her own money on
items for Oakhurst students,
as well as those in the after
school program she works
for once she leaves school
for the day. Each student
knows there is at least one
person who values them for
themselves—Ms. Chaney.”
Chaney, who does
not own a car, walks
approximately two miles
to school each day, an
additional mile to her
second job at Decatur
Recreation, before returning
home each evening around
9 p.m. Her time there is also
spent working with children
ages 5 to 18.
According to Lester,
this work is done with the
patience unheard of by
today’s standards and a
non-stop smile.
“Her Fridays and
Saturdays are often spent
working with children
through the program,
attending events and
organizing activities,”
Lester said. “Although she
has been steadily saving
to buy a car, she would
give her last penny if it
meant it made someone’s
day or even life better.
She continuously gives
everything and asks for
nothing in return.”
Lester said Chaney’s
positivity has spread to her
colleagues and coworkers
at Oakhurst by crediting her
thoughtfulness.
“Having a hard day?
Expect chocolate and a
sweet card,” she said.
“Feeling stressed out with
not enough time to do it all?
Ms. Chaney will be there,
sacrificing her own time to
help someone else.”
Lester said Chaney’s
attitude - dedication mixed
with positivity—is rare in the
modern education realm.
“The world is ever
changing, and it is
becoming increasingly more
difficult to connect with
students and provide the
emotional support so many
of them are craving,” Lester
said. “This is Ms. Chaney’s
gift, and she has done so
much to change the lives
of many, many children
throughout her life. Yes, the
world is changing, but it is
a much better place to live
with Ms. Chaney in it.”
Chaney said she was
honored and blessed to
even be nominated for the
LifeChanger award.
“I feel very blessed—
even if I don’t win, I’ll feel
like a winner,” Chaney
said. “This is my purpose
in life. Once you know your
purpose, you try to fulfill it
every day. I feel like I do.”
To view Chaney’s full
nomination letter and learn
more about the LifeChanger
of the Year
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