Local teacher on Bennett’s list of 2012 Teacher of the Year finalists

News release from the Indiana Department of Education:

Bennett Announces 2012 Teacher of the Year Finalists

Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett today announced ten distinguished finalists for the 2012 Indiana Teacher of the Year program, one of whom will be named the 2012 Teacher of the Year in October.

“The talent exhibited from this year’s candidates is impressive,” Bennett said. “Their students are fortunate to learn from such dedicated, caring and effective professionals, and I wish them all continued success.”

The following teachers were selected as Indiana’s ten Teacher of the Year finalists:

Carolyn Bookmyer
Grades 6-8, English as a Second Language
Shawnee Middle School
Fort Wayne Community Schools

Laurie Bandos
Grade 4
Pine Tree Elementary School
Avon Community School Corporation

Debbie DeLaurelle
Grades 2-3
Northpoint Elementary School
Penn Harris Madison School Corporation

Suzanne Dolembo
High School Math
Mishawaka High School
School City of Mishawaka

Brieanne Irey
Grade 5, Special Education Inclusion
Navarre Intermediate Center
South Bend Community School Corporation

Robin Keerns
Grades 7-8, Math
Fishers Junior High School
Hamilton Southeastern Schools

Melanie Park
Grades 6-8, Reading Remediation
Riverview Middle School
Huntington County Community School Corporation

Thomas Rice
Grade 8, Math
East Tippecanoe Middle School
Tippecanoe School Corporation

Lisa Sarjeant
Grades 7-8, Language Arts
Sheridan Middle School
Sheridan Community Schools

Lisa Steele
Grade 8, Language Arts
Eastwood Middle School
MSD Washington Township

The Teacher of the Year program is open to all licensed classroom teachers who intend to remain active in the teaching field. Each year, superintendents select local Teachers of the Year. Those winners are encouraged to submit a portfolio to be considered for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year. Portfolios highlight teachers’ exceptional accomplishments in a professional biography, student growth and performance data, and their teaching philosophy.

Thirty two public and non-public educators applied for the 2012 Indiana Teacher of the Year. All candidates will be honored at a banquet November 14, 2011.

Each finalist was interviewed Friday, September 23, 2011 by a committee of past Indiana Teacher of the Year honorees and other education stakeholders.

The winner, to be announced in October, 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 a cash award and sabbatical/higher education scholarship opportunities.

The National Teacher of the Year Program, sponsored by the Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning and CSO Architects, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers. Visit www.doe.in.gov/toy for more information.

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