Amber Jackson, a precalculus and algebra 2 teacher at Somerville High School, has been nominated for the 2018-2019 national LifeChanger of the Year award.

Jackson has been with Somerville High School for seven years. She was recognized as a LifeChanger in her community for delivering high-quality instruction while being a source of support for students. She stores snacks in her room for students who have skipped breakfast, and even shares her own meals with students who didn’t have money for lunch. She also uses names from her school’s various cultures in the practice problems and assessments she designs, and she learns math phrases in various languages so she can communicate with students of varying abilities.

For the past three years, Jackson has also supported and organized The Matters Speak Series, an initiative to help students and educators share their life experiences through poetry, art, music, and dance. The goal of this initiative is to provide a safe space to discuss difficult topics such as gender, race, class, sexual orientation, and culture. Jackson has expanded the impact of The Matters Speak Series through her work on Somerville High School’s Cultural Proficiency Board (CPB). On the CPB, she works with a group of educators to promote cultural inclusion and provide equity training.

“Amber’s passion for her students and empathy for the things that matter to them, as well as her ability to encourage other teachers to use these qualities, are what makes her a teacher leader,” said Jackson’s nominator, who would like to remain anonymous. “She has used her experience to mentor new teachers in the department over the years, partnering with them to unify the content and standards for student learning. By being data-driven and advocating for equitable access to classes, she has earned her reputation as a LifeChanger.”