Shadow Mountain High School teacher Krystal Booher has received the Plus Wonder Impact Award for her work in promoting collaboration and connection among students. Booher, who teaches in the Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) program at Shadow Mountain, was recognized for encouraging students to focus on a goal larger than themselves.
This approach led to a service-learning project inspired by senior Charlie N., who shared his experience of losing his mother to breast cancer. The class decided to partner with Girls Love Mail, a nonprofit organization, during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Together, they wrote handwritten letters of encouragement to women undergoing breast cancer treatment.
The initiative expanded beyond the JAG classroom when students collaborated with the English Department. After presenting the idea to teachers, English classes incorporated letter writing into their coursework. This broader participation resulted in over 500 letters being collected.
Students reported changes in their outlook as they moved from focusing solely on tasks to taking on leadership roles driven by purpose. Charlie became an emotional leader within the group, while other students developed confidence through their involvement.
Booher’s recognition highlights how local efforts can have a wider impact and encourages continued collaboration among students at Shadow Mountain High School.
