When Eastside Elementary School Principal Ben Hunt led students and faculty in recognizing the school’s accomplishments during the monthly Viking Rally recently, little did he know he would soon receive recognition of his own.
After the school’s championship archery team and 2024 retirees were honored, Hunt was surprised by family members, friends and representatives of the National Life Group with a 2023-24 LifeChanger of the Year award.
The award is given to educators across the United States who are “making a difference in the lives of students by exemplifying excellence, positive influence and leadership,” said Sandy Thornton, a representative of the program. The program was founded 13 years ago by the National Life Group insurance company.
Hunt was nominated by Tollis Bond, a part-time special education teacher at Eastside Elementary who received a LifeChanger of the Year award for the 2015-16 school year.
Honorees must “make a positive impact in the lives of students; enhance their school or district’s atmosphere, culture and pride; demonstrate exemplary leadership … possess a proven record of professional excellence; show commitment to building a nurturing environment that supports learning; and adhere to the highest moral and ethical standards,” said Thornton.
“I’m a very lucky guy,” Hunt said as hundreds of students and teachers cheered. “I work at the right school with the right people, and have the right students and the right families with me. I’m just a very lucky person to be able to be at Eastside with all of y’all. Thank you all very much.”
Thornton said the National Life Group has recognized almost 8,000 educators in nearly 2,000 U.S. school districts since 2011, with nearly $790,000 awarded to educators and their schools.
Hunt’s award has a $3,000 cash prize, with $1,500 going to the school and $1,500 to Hunt.
“This year, more than 620 teachers and school employees from across the country were nominated for this award,” Thornton said. “Ben, you exemplify all the attributes of a National Life Group LifeChanger and we congratulate you on being recognized by your school community and selected by our committee as one of this year’s award winners.”
Bond said nominating Hunt was an easy decision, citing his passion for going above and beyond for students and co-workers, including handing out popsicles during house visits to incoming students during the summer, wearing costumes and playing the ukulele as students arrive to school in the mornings or helping to conduct the school’s Feed and Read program, which allows families to visit the school throughout the year for a free evening meal while taking home books for students to read.
“I nominated Mr. Hunt because when I met him, I could tell that he loved each and every one of (his students),” Bond said. “That he had such a passion and a gift that was God-given to make sure that Eastside is taken care of. We love him and we’re very thankful that he was recognized today.”
Whitfield County Schools Superintendent Mike Ewton said Hunt is “very special and very deserving” of the award.
“Mr. Hunt always celebrates the great things going on here,” Ewton said. “He’s one of the coolest people I know. Most importantly, he is a great principal that cares about each and every one of (his students and co-workers).”
Hunt’s mother Judy, who surprised him with a visit along with his sister Marybeth Morris, his nieces Ava and Anna Claire Morris, and sons Will and Andrew Hunt, said Hunt’s desire to lead has been a persistent quality throughout his life.
“Ben wanted to be a teacher ever since he was in sixth grade,” Judy Hunt said. “He fulfilled his goal and his dream, and we’re real proud of him.”
Anna Claire Morris said Hunt “worked hard” to get to where he is now.
“And he’s a really cool uncle,” said Ava Morris.
Hunt’s son Andrew said he and his brother Will are “really proud” of their father.
“He’s worked really hard and he’s done a lot, for Eastside especially,” Andrew Hunt said. “He’s a really good person, too.”
Thornton said it is clear Hunt has put his “whole heart into being a LifeChanger.”
“Each and every day, you show this school’s students and families how much you care,” she said. “You’re constantly coming up with new ideas and ways to make each student feel loved and excited to be at Eastside, and we can’t thank you enough for that … Thank you for embodying what it means to be a National Life Group LifeChanger, and National Life Group’s mission to ‘Do Good. Be Good. Make Good.’ Keep up the great work.”
Ben Hunt said being honored with the award is “amazing.”
“You get into this job to make a difference,” he said. “That’s your whole purpose of this job, to hopefully make an impact. And I’ve been very lucky to have been given a lot of opportunities. The people that I’ve worked with, the principals and the superintendents, they’ve always trusted me and given me a lot of autonomy.”
While he said he didn’t “know just yet” what he plans to do with his share of the cash prize, he said the $1,500 for the school will be put to good use.
“We have needs throughout the year, whether it’s technology or materials for classes,” he said. “That will definitely help out.”
He said the award is proof he’s where he’s meant to be.
“I hope that when I retire someday I can look back and people that I’ve worked with can look back and say that I was an additive to their lives,” he said.