Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, has been nominated for the 2016-17 national LifeChanger of the Year Award.

Sponsored by the National Life Group Foundation, the national LifeChanger of the Year program recognizes and rewards the very best kindergarten through twelfth grade public and private school educators and employees across the United States who make a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence, and leadership, according to a release for the announcement.

Dr Erardi was nominated by a parent of a student who wishes to remain anonymous. The parent praised the superintendent's leadership and compassion after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on 12/14, and credited Dr Erardi with helping the community heal and move forward after the tragedy.

"In terms of academics, the environment and effort to heal has made enormous strides due to Dr Joseph Erardi," said his nominator. "He goes above and beyond as an educator and administrative leader, whether it's by taking time to sit down with a parent to discuss the math program, or returning a phone call to a parent from his home. He truly supports and loves this community and its education."

The parent went on to explain that although some might feel as if Dr Erardi's actions are simply what educators are supposed to do, the nominator stressed how the shooting at Sandy Hook School significantly changed this daily dynamic.

"Parents are worried on an entirely different level," said Dr Erardi's nominator. "They're worried about things such as anxiety in their child from a slamming door during class, or about their child needing coordination with counselors in school during the school day because they couldn't sleep at night. Dr Erardi has remained steadfast and sure in his efforts to help the community navigate these changes. He is a LifeChanger in every sense of the word."

Each school year, the LifeChanger of the Year program receives hundreds of nominations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. For 2016-17, there will be a total of 15 individual LifeChanger of the Year awards. In addition, a 16th prize, the "National Spirit Award," is given to the school and nominee whose community demonstrates the most support for their nomination. Each winner will receive a cash award that is split between the individual winner and their school. The national Grand Prize award is $10,000. Winners are announced via surprise award ceremonies held at their schools. The top five winners will also be honored at a national awards ceremony in Naples, Fla. Winners will be announced in the spring.

Winners will be chosen by a selection committee comprised of former winners and education professionals. Nominees must be school district employees. Award winners are selected based on the following criteria: A proven ability to make a beneficial difference in the lives of students, an ability to positively add to the development of the school's atmosphere, involvement in leadership activities at the school and/or community level, a demonstrative record of excellent performance at the professional level, a commitment to producing a nurturing atmosphere, and adherence to high moral and ethical standards.

After the announcement was released, Dr Erardi said on Wednesday, November 2, "This nomination has little to do with what I do and much more to do with what is a very, very talented Board of Education, central office staff, administrative team, and the hardest-working building-based employees that I have ever been associated with in nearly 40 years."

A resource page with ideas for how to celebrate nominees is available online at lifechangeroftheyearnominees.com/showspirit. More information about the LifeChanger of the Year Award and a list of all of the nominees for this year's award is also available online at lifechangeroftheyear.com. There are roughly 400 nominees listed for the 2016-17 award program, which is run by the National Life Group and the National Life Group Foundation.