Normal West Special Education teacher Kristy Fairfield was recently nominated for the Life Changer of the year award.

National Life Groups Life Changer of the Year is an annual program recognizing K-12 educators and school employees nationwide. 

The program celebrates individuals making a significant difference in students lives by exemplifying excellence, having a positive influence, and leadership.

Each winning school is notified by their administration. 

Fairfield began her teaching career in Somonauk, IL in a junior high school.

She later came to Bloomington-Normal when her husband was transferred to State Farm in 1995. 

She has been teaching at Normal West since it opened in 1995 and will retire here at Normal West in 2029.

Fairfield was nominated by the grandmother of one of her current students, Paula Northcutt.

“Kristy Fairfield is my grandson’s special education teacher. She has opened up her classroom, her heart, and her world to him. Ms. Fairfield cares about him and wants him to succeed. I have never seen such passion in a teacher’s eyes as when she talks about him.

“This teacher has the patience and the heart of an angel. She exemplifies what a special education teacher should portray. We are so blessed to have a teacher for him that exhibits professionalism, class, and passion. Kristy Fairfield is a LifeChanger,” Northcutt said in her nomination. 

Looking to leave a big impact here at Normal West, Fairfield hopes to be “the second-to-last OG of Normal West High School.” 

But in all seriousness, she wants to make the last three years at Normal West the best.