'She Brings Light': Tinley HS Teacher Wins 'Heroes Of The Classroom'

TINLY PARK, IL — A Bremen District 228 teacher has locked in the grand prize in a contest recognizing teachers for their hard work, resilience and dedication to students.

Lauren Brazel, Special Education teacher at Tinley Park High School, won Kleenex's "Heroes of the Classroom" contest, up against finalists from California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, South Carolina and Utah. The winner was determined by public vote.

Brazel will receive $5,000 for herself, matched with $5,000 for the school, in addition to a year's supply of Kleenex — a prize package estimated at $11,000. The winner was announced early Monday.

"We are thrilled!" Brazel told Patch. "Totally unexpected, and so happy. Happy for the positive recognition for Tinley Park High School!"

In her entry, Brazel spoke poignantly of what drew her to special education. In her 19th year in education, Brazel has worked within Bremen District 228 for nine years, having first started at Oak Forest High School. She shifted to Tinley Park High School four years ago.

"... I am passionate about making sure every student feels seen, heard and recognized for their efforts both in and out of the classroom," she wrote. "I celebrate even the smallest wins and build connections with both my students and their families. Being able to build those long-lasting relationships is what makes this job amazing. We hope students will retain the information that we have taught them, but we know that they will always remember how they were treated."

Tinley Park High School principal Dr. Theresa Nolan nominated Brazel for the award, Campus Multimedia said in a release.

"On a daily basis, Lauren shows care and compassion yet holds strong to her commitment as an educator and takes responsibility for her students to academically grow," Nolan wrote in her nomination. "No matter the challenge posed to the student, Lauren knows she needs to prepare and deliver the best opportunities to her students."

She works with a wide variety of kids, whether their challenges be learning, health or behavioral, Nolan said in a video sharing Brazel's story.

"... really has this amazing ability to affect kids on all different levels," Nolan said.

"The impact that Lauren has had on these students is life-changing," her husband Ryan Brazel said in the video. "The amount of students that react to just her presence, is unbelievable. She knows these students by face, by name, she knows their parents. She's very involved with them."

A student remarked on her appreciation for Brazel, and the role she plays at the school.

"There's a lot of things that make Mrs. Brazel so great," one of her students said. "I know right when I walk into the school, that I have a great support system, no mater the day that I had or the morning that I had. I know that I can count on her to be there for me, give me advice. ... NO matter what's going on in her life, she's never come to school with a sad face, or like she's been angry.

"... She's always smiling. She has the best energy. I love Mrs. Brazel."

"I loved, when I was in elementary school, we always had a multi-needs type room in that school, those kids were always on the playground, never had anyone around them," Brazel said in a video interview. "I always was kind of drawn to making sure they were included, that really bled into what I wanted to do later in late."

Brazel co-teaches with colleague Pete Sansone.

"She is a hero," Sansone said. "I think her specialty really is bringing along the students who need the most help. When they are struggling academically, struggling emotionally, and Lauren is somebody they can go to, and they can count on."

"... she brings light to the kids, she brings light to her co-teacher," Nolan added. "She brings light to our staff, she brings light to me as a principal. She's passionate about what she does, she wants to make a difference, but I will tell you she does it within the most humble means you could ever ask."

On a personal level, Brazel previously told Patch she would use the money for much-needed financial support for her family, in the midst of medical stressors.

Brazel and husband Ryan have three children: 8-year-old twins Frankie and Charlie, and 10-year-old daughter Molly. Frankie was born with the effects of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. The syndrome is a rare pregnancy condition affecting identical twins or other multiples, and occurs in pregnancies where twins share one placenta, and a network of blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients essential for development in the womb, according to Johns Hopkins. One twin — known as the donor twin — gives away more blood than it receives in return and runs the risk of malnourishment and organ failure. The recipient twin receives too much blood and is susceptible to overwork of the heart and other cardiac complications.

The twins were born two months early, Brazel said. Frankie was diagnosed as the donor twin. His most significant diagnosis is that of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Three years ago, Brazel and her husband placed him on palliative care. They are currently building an addition to their home, to create a space for Frankie that will simplify his movement throughout the home, and allow easier access to provide him care.

"We fight very hard for him," Brazel said. "We fight for all of our kids, but he’s really changed the trajectory of our lives and how we choose to live them. It definitely makes you look at things a little bit differently."

Frankie is her inspiration behind her work.

"Frankie is the reason I come to school each day, and why I have such a positive outlook," she said. "My husband and I are the sole providers for Frankie's care, and this money will assist with creating a comfortable room for him in his final years. Currently, we each work two jobs on separate schedules to provide these extras for Frankie. This money will allow us to spend some additional time together as a family."

The grand prize winner was determined by a public vote from among the top 10 first prize winners, each of whom was profiled at heroesoftheclassrom.com/vote. Each first prize winner received a $1,000 Costco Shop card and their school received a $1,000 check. Additionally, the nominator of each first prize winner received a $1,000 Costco Shop card. Nominations were submitted by educators, parents, and school staff members. The program is in partnership with Campus Multimedia, a school communication and marketing company that administers such programs on behalf of national brands.

Brazel applauded the contest organizers for their efforts to spotlight the work teachers do.

"This has allowed just the general public to see what we do in the classroom, and it’s more than just teaching the standards and teaching the curriculum that we’re provided," she said. "That we really do care about these students in more than ways than what’s happening in this classroom. I think it’s phenomenal for educators to be recognized for all the hard work that they do."