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News release from the Indiana Department of Education:<\/p>\n
Bennett Announces 2012 Teacher of the Year Finalists<\/strong><\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
The following teachers were selected as Indiana’s ten Teacher of the Year finalists:<\/p>\n
Carolyn Bookmyer
\nGrades 6-8, English as a Second Language
\nShawnee Middle School
\nFort Wayne Community Schools<\/strong><\/p>\nLaurie Bandos<\/strong>
\nGrade 4
\nPine Tree Elementary School
\nAvon Community School Corporation<\/p>\nDebbie DeLaurelle<\/strong>
\nGrades 2-3
\nNorthpoint Elementary School
\nPenn Harris Madison School Corporation<\/p>\nSuzanne Dolembo<\/strong>
\nHigh School Math
\nMishawaka High School
\nSchool City of Mishawaka<\/p>\nBrieanne Irey<\/strong>
\nGrade 5, Special Education Inclusion
\nNavarre Intermediate Center
\nSouth Bend Community School Corporation<\/p>\nRobin Keerns<\/strong>
\nGrades 7-8, Math
\nFishers Junior High School
\nHamilton Southeastern Schools<\/p>\nMelanie Park<\/strong>
\nGrades 6-8, Reading Remediation
\nRiverview Middle School
\nHuntington County Community School Corporation<\/p>\nThomas Rice<\/strong>
\nGrade 8, Math
\nEast Tippecanoe Middle School
\nTippecanoe School Corporation<\/p>\nLisa Sarjeant<\/strong>
\nGrades 7-8, Language Arts
\nSheridan Middle School
\nSheridan Community Schools<\/p>\nLisa Steele<\/strong>
\nGrade 8, Language Arts
\nEastwood Middle School
\nMSD Washington Township<\/p>\nThe 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Each finalist was interviewed Friday, September 23, 2011 by a committee of past Indiana Teacher of the Year honorees and other education stakeholders.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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