Educational professionals make a difference in the lives of students and that’s exactly why an Osceola County Public Schools employee is being honored. Rosalyn Rodriguez was nominated for the prestigious LifeChanger of the Year Award for 2025-26.
The LifeChanger program honors educators and school employees who make a significant positive impact on students and the school environment in exemplary ways. Honorees show leadership, professionalism, and morality in enhancing the learning culture of the environment. The program is sponsored by National Life, a financial services company focused on educators.
Rodriguez is the front office secretary and a Business Partner Liaison at Chestnut Elementary School for Science and Engineering in Poinciana. Known for her bright, pleasant demeanor, Rodriguez represents the school and its forward-facing communication. She multi-tasks by answering calls, making copies, and sending documents with a welcoming smile.
“I love to give great customer service so they can leave our school happy and they can come back happy,” she said of her role, greeting people and assisting them in their school needs.
As a liaison, she builds relationships with the community and fosters initiatives with them in support of the school, including arranging events and coordinating volunteers.
“My job here is to provide the school with any sponsors that would like to partner with our school in wellness to provide healthy habits for teachers students and staff,” she said.
Chestnut Elementary Principal Gary Bressler said, “Rosalyn consistently goes above and beyond her role. Her ability to lead with positivity, initiative, and compassion has elevated school culture and strengthened community engagement.”
He noted that Rodriguez brings heart to her job, staying late to participate in after-school events and giving students special attention when it’s needed.
Known for her love of dance, Rodriguez likes using movement to express herself and shares the passion with others. She encourages students at Chestnut Elementary School, engaging them with dance as a healthy way to exercise. At the school’s Multicultural Event, she created a student group and choreographed their dance performance.
Once nominated, Rodriguez and other nominees received online profiles created by the program. On her profile, comments and messages can be written by those who would like to support her. A committee made up of educational professionals and past LifeChanger winners will read each story and review the messages submitted.
By the spring, the committee decides which nominees will be celebrated with a LifeChanger of the Year award. There are several award levels, each with different financial prizes. The awards are split equally between the winner and their school. The Grand Prize winner receives a total award of $20,000 with $10,000 as an individual prize and $10,000 as a donation to the school.
As a single mother, Rodriguez says she hopes to win and would dedicate the award to her three children. Bressler stated that, if awarded, the school would use some of the winnings to provide backpacks and supplies to students and to invest in more hands-on materials for STEM classes.
“These funds will help us continue creating engaging opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach for some of our students,” he said.
Rodriguez has a vision for her future where she can teach dance in classroom lessons. “I would like my own dance academy where not only kids can learn to dance, but adults of all ages, too,” she said.
For now, she will hope to get the call that she has been named a LifeChanger of the Year, which would help her continue to change lives around Chestnut Elementary.
“Rosalyn Rodriguez is the true embodiment of a LifeChanger. She transforms our school community each day through her unwavering dedication, servant leadership, and heart for students and families,” said Bressler.
Rodriguez said she’s grateful for those who have believed in her, including her departed grandmother who often told her, ”There’s no limit; when you truly want something go for it.”
