FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Media Contact:
Emily Acklin, Press Secretary
317-232-6617, eacklin@doe.in.gov
Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett today announced ten finalists for the 2011 Indiana Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes the state’s outstanding classroom teachers.
“The number one factor for students’ academic success is teacher quality,” Bennett said. “Our ten finalists are committed to delivering innovative classroom instruction and driving student growth. Their achievements serve as best practice examples for teachers across the state.”
The Teacher of the Year program is open to all licensed classroom teachers who intend to remain active in the teaching field. Each year, school officials nominate teachers by submitting portfolios in which teachers’ exceptional qualities and accomplishments are highlighted in a professional biography, a description of their community service, their philosophy of teaching and their views on educational issues and trends.
Indiana superintendents nominated 50 public and non-public educators for the 2011 Indiana Teacher of the Year. All nominees will be honored in November with a banquet.
The ten finalists were selected based on criteria that include concern for students, the ability to inspire learning and willingness to work cooperatively with colleagues. Each finalist will be interviewed Tuesday, September 7, 2010, by a committee of past Indiana Teacher of the Year honorees and other education stakeholders.
The following teachers were selected as Indiana’s ten Teacher of the Year finalists:
| Scott D. Black Grades 9-12, Speech/Debate MSD of Warren Township Warren Central High SchoolJoAnn Brugos Grade 1 LaPorte Community School Corporation Hailmann ElementaryErin Hartman Grades 9-12, U.S. History & Economics Elkhart Community Schools Elkhart Memorial High SchoolStacy Huffer Grade 4 Warsaw Community Schools Leesburg Elementary SchoolJohn A. Jackson Grades 9-12, Secondary Social Studies Franklin Community School Corporation Franklin Community High School |
Stacy A. McCormack Grades 11-12, Physics Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation Penn High SchoolLisa Miniear Grades 9-12, Physical Education Franklin Township Community School Corporation Franklin Central High SchoolJamil Odom Grade 3, General Education and High Ability MSD of Perry Township Mary Bryan Elementary SchoolAnthony Record Grades 9-12, Mathematics Avon Community School Corporation Avon High SchoolJacquelyn J. Singleton Grade 1 Archdiocese of Indianapolis St. Anthony of Padua |
The winner, to be announced mid-to-late September, will be Indiana’s candidate for National Teacher of the Year and will be recognized in Washington D.C. this spring. Indiana’s Teacher of the Year will receive $1,000 and sabbatical/higher education scholarship opportunities.
The National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Visit www.doe.in.gov/toy for more information.
