School of Education alumni well represented among the Indiana Teacher of the Year finalists
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Eight of the ten finalists for Indiana’s 2011 Teacher of the Year announced today (September 1) hold degrees from the Indiana University School of Education’s core campus that covers Bloomington and Indianapolis. Nominees are selected by superintendents around the state. The finalists are selected from an original list of 50.The ten finalists are picked based on criteria including concern for students, the ability to inspire learning, and willingness to work cooperatively with colleagues. As part of the selection process to determine the next Teacher of the Year, a committee of past honorees and other education stakeholders will interview each finalist on Tuesday, September 7.
“The number one factor for students’ academic success is teacher quality,” said Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Tony Bennett in an Indiana Department of Education news release. “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 honor is open to all licensed classroom teachers who intend to remain active in the teaching field. Each year, school leaders nominate teachers by submitting portfolios outlining teachers’ exceptional qualities and accomplishments through a professional biography, a description of their community service, their philosophy of teaching, and their views on educational issues and trends.
The winner of the honor is announced in mid to late September. The Indiana Teacher of the Year represents the state as a nominee for National Teacher of the Year. A banquet honoring all Indiana nominees is in November.
Here are the finalists with their IU School of Education degrees noted:
Scott D. Black (BS ’91 at IUPUI, secondary education)
Grades 9-12, Speech/Debate
MSD of Warren Township
Warren Central High School
JoAnn Brugos (BS ’74 at IUB, elementary education)
Grade 1
LaPorte Community School Corporation
Hailmann Elementary
Stacy Huffer (BS ’93 at IUB, elementary education)
Grade 4
Warsaw Community Schools
Leesburg Elementary School
John A. Jackson (MS ’86 at IUPUI, secondary education)
Grades 9-12, Secondary Social Studies
Franklin Community School Corporation
Franklin Community High School
Stacy A. McCormack (BS ’99 at IUB, science education)
Grades 11-12, Physics
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
Penn High School
Lisa Miniear (MS ’87 at IUPUI, secondary education)
Grades 9-12, Physical Education
Franklin Township Community School Corporation
Franklin Central High School
Jamil Odom (MS ’05 at IUB, elementary education)
Grade 3, General Education and High Ability
MSD of Perry Township
Mary Bryan Elementary School
Anthony Record (BS ’89 at IUB, mathematics education)
Grades 9-12, Mathematics
Avon Community School Corporation
Avon High School
(Note that while this list encompasses alumni of the core campus IU School of Education at IUB and IUPUI, Jacquelyn J. Singleton, a first grade teacher at Indianapolis’ St. Anthony school also holds a degree from the IU School of Education at IU Southeast).
More about the Teacher of the Year finalists is available on the Indiana Department of Education’s website at http://www.doe.in.gov/news/2010/09-September/toy_finalists.html.
