School of Education

Armstrong Teachers return to campus for summer retreat

Friday, June 26, 2009

Many past Armstrong Teacher Educator honorees are on the IU Bloomington campus this weekend (June 26 and 27) for the annual summer retreat. For two days, the Armstrong teachers will take part in discussions on best practices, see demonstrations of education projects, and consult with colleagues.

Every spring since 1997, the IU School of Education has selected recipients of the Armstrong Teacher Educator Awards. Superintendents and principals from around Indiana nominate teachers based on patterns of outstanding teaching and school leadership. The nominees must also demonstrate a potential to work effectively as mentors and role models for pre-service teachers.

The summer retreat is open to all Armstrong Teacher Educators, and many return annually.  “I come back to the retreat every year,” said Steve Park, science and communication teacher at Riverview Middle School in Huntington.  Park was part of the Armstrong Teacher Educator class of 1999-2000. “We get some updates on education, and we get an idea of how other teachers are using new strategies in the classroom, but just as important we get to meet with colleagues, reconnect and develop those friendships. We get to hang out with people who share similar passions to ourselves.”

Another member of the group named 10 years ago said she comes back to renew those friendships as well, but added that she is re-energized by seeing the new honorees and hearing their ideas. “We really felt pride in receiving the award 10 years ago,” said Gladys Stephens, 3rd grade teacher at Mary L. Daly Elementary in Elkhart. “Coming back and seeing that other people are getting that same recognition and sensing the pride that they must feel and seeing the things that they’re doing, it lets you know that you can do some of those things.”

The Armstrong awards are made possible through the Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Fund in Teacher Education, established through a gift from the Cook Group Companies, Inc. of Bloomington. The endowment also supports the Martha Lea and Bill Armstrong Chair in Teacher Education. Since the program started, more than a hundred Indiana teachers have earned selection as Armstrong Teacher Educators. More information on the program is available at http://www.indiana.edu/~atea.