Foundations School executive director Charlisa Turner has been nominated for the 2025–26 LifeChanger of the Year award, a national honor recognizing K–12 public school educators and employees who are making a difference in the lives of students through excellence, positive influence and leadership. 

Turner was nominated by colleague Payton Chaffin for her leadership and dedication to students. 

“Mrs. Turner doesn't just change lives. She gives everything she has to make sure hope wins,” Chaffin said. “If you're looking for someone who embodies compassion, resilience and the power to transform a community, look no further. Mrs. Turner is that person.” 

LifeChanger of the Year was created by National Life Group to celebrate educators while also providing financial resources to support their work in and beyond the classroom. Since 2011, the program has recognized more than 8,500 educators across 2,300 school districts nationwide, awarding more than $800,000 in cash prizes and grants. 

“At National Life, we recognize that teachers are the backbone of our communities,” said Matt Frazee, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of National Life Group. “Too often, they shoulder the cost of basic supplies that should be readily available for every student. Through our LifeChanger of the Year recognition program and Back-To-School Supply Grant program, we are honored to stand alongside teachers, helping to ease that burden and ensuring students have the essentials that make a real difference in their day-to-day learning.” 

Turner said she felt humbled after learning she had been nominated for the award. 

“Truly, none of what happens at Foundations School is the result of one person,” Turner said. “It takes an entire army, my family, friends, colleagues and our community, from plumbers to teachers, to make this work possible. This nomination reflects all of them.” 

She added that recognition has never been her focus. 

“Professionally, I don’t spend much time thinking about awards,” Turner said. “We just keep putting one foot in front of the other. If this recognition brings a voice to our school and honor to God, that is more than enough for us.” 

Turner founded Foundations School after witnessing students in the community struggle academically and emotionally in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Foundations School began when we saw how many students were falling through the cracks educationally after COVID,” Turner said. “Because we are small, we can be flexible in how we teach, hands-on, individualized and responsive to each student’s learning style.” 

The private, trade-focused school serves students from kindergarten through 12th grade and has grown from 18 students to more than 50 in just three years. Turner said her approach centers on restoring confidence and hope in students who may feel lost in traditional educational settings. 

“I’ve worked with kids for over 20 years, and I’ve seen what happens when a young person feels lost, ‘dumb,’ or without hope,” she said. “Restoring hope often starts with showing them a different way to learn, one that helps them gain confidence and keep trying. Sometimes it means recognizing the trauma they’ve experienced, giving them tools to move forward, and walking beside them while they do.” 

The Foundations School staff is mission-minded and dedicated to learning best practices for each individual student in order to challenge them toward maximum growth and opportunity. “Most kids will move mountains when they know someone believes in them.” said Turner. 

Unlike public schools, Foundations School receives no state or government funding. While the average private school tuition in Idaho is approximately $11,000 per year, Foundations charges $6,000. Turner said the school’s annual budget falls short by roughly half, with remaining funds raised through fundraisers, sponsorships and community support. 

Community involvement has been critical to the school’s sustainability. Turner said more than 100 local businesses have participated in Skills Days, giving their time, teaching classes or opening their doors for tours.  Many have gone on to offer apprenticeships and job opportunities for students. 

“Their investment in our kids is priceless,” Turner said. 

Looking ahead, Turner said the school plans to continue expanding its facilities and programming. “We’ve remodeled three times already, and the next phase includes adding Idaho Mercantile and 9Beans Coffee to the property, made possible through the generosity of the Dirks Family at Baked and Lavish and Turner Plumbing sharing space with us.” 

The addition of the businesses will help the school generate the much-needed funds to sustain the schools programing, while also expanding the entrepreneurship class, allowing students to gain real-world experience in hospitality, business management, marketing, food service, and retail.  

If selected as an award recipient, Turner said all funds would be reinvested directly into the school. 

“Every penny will go back into our students, our staff and the mission that drives us,” she said. 

After nominations close at the end of the year, a national selection committee composed of past LifeChanger of the Year winners and education professionals will review nominees. Award recipients are surprised at their schools, with winners announced on a rolling basis beginning in February. 

Community members may show support for Turner by posting comments on her LifeChanger of the Year nominee profile or sharing her story on social media using the hashtag #LCOY. 

More information about the program is available at lifechangeroftheyear.com.