IDOE gives nearly $5M to schools, teachers
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Dozens of schools and educators were recognized Friday at the Indiana Department of Education’s second Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala.
Nearly $5 million in grants were awarded to schools and districts that promote educational excellence.
The department recognized schools, districts and individual instructors who excel in teaching STEM subjects, improving literacy, working with English language learners and more.
The state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year and 2022 Milken Educator Award recipient were also honored.
“We know that we have continuous improvements to make for our students…and we also know that we have shining examples of success existing across our state,” Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner said in a news release. “Our goal was to host a red carpet event to celebrate our very best educators, on a level similar to how we celebrate movie stars and professional athletes, because their incredible impact deserves to be celebrated at the grandest level we can.”
School districts were awarded grants of up to $250,000 for strength in several categories and honored teachers were each awarded $2,500.
Schools and districts recognized in this year’s Indiana Education Excellence Awards Gala include:
Excellence in STEM Award
- Guilford Elementary School, Plainfield Schools: $126,775
- Area 31 Career Center, Wayne Township Schools: $250,000
- Beveridge Elementary School, Gary Community Schools: $85,250
Excellence in Learning and Learning Award
- Bluffton-Harrison MSD: $250,000
- Cedar Crest Intermediate, Southeast Dubois County School Corporation: $50,600
- Northview Middle School, MSD Washington Township: $215,600
Excellence in Early Literacy Award
- Forest Glen Elementary, MSD Lawrence Township: $242,000
- Northeast Dubois Elementary, Northeast Dubois School Corporation: $64,625
- Western Primary, Western School Corporation: $158,400
Excellence in Student Pathways
- Perry Central Junior-Senior High, Perry Central Community Schools: $160,050
- Victory College Prep: $248,050
- McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology, MSD Lawrence Township: $250,000
Excellence in Community Collaboration
- White River Valley High School, White River Valley School District: $57,750
- East Allen University High School, East Allen County Schools: $83,050
- Amp Lab at Electric Works, Fort Wayne Community Schools: $107,250
Excellence in Academic Gains
- Chamberlain Elementary, Goshen Community Schools: $71,775
- Ladoga Elementary School, Southmont Schools: $44,825
- Selma Elementary School, Liberty-Perry Community Schools: $144,375
Excellence in College Readiness
- Penn High School, Penn-Harris-Madison Schools: $250,000
- Columbus North High School, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation: $250,000
- 21st Century Charter School: $250,000
- Signature School: $108,075
Excellence in Next Level Educational Experiences and Opportunities
- Linton-Stockton School Corporation: $250,000
- Purdue Polytechnic High School: $250,000
- Batesville High School: $250,000
Individual educator awardees include:
Promising Educator Excellence Award
- Emily Dobson, First through Third Grade, South Bend Community School Corporation
- Brandon Porter, Fine Arts Magnet Resource, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Dedicated Educators Excellence Award
- Ben Neilson, Eighth Grade U.S. History, Mill Creek Community School Corporation
- Briana Temple, Instructional Coach, Indianapolis Public Schools
Lifetime Educator Excellence Award
- Alan Burrell, Sixth Grade Science, Franklin Township Community School Corporation
- Kristy Stephens, Eighth Grade English/Language Arts, MSD Boone Township
Early Childhood Educator Excellence Award
- Mindy Sendelweck, Pre-K, Greater Jasper Consolidated Schools
- Erin Day, Pre-K Special Education, Greenfield Central School Corporation
Digital Innovator Excellence Award
- Matthew Rodney, History, Purdue Polytechnic High School
- Allison Waitt, Business, Sheridan Community Schools
English Learner Educator Excellence Award
- Rebecca Schroeder, English as a New Language, Hamilton Southeastern Schools
- Kathryn Watts, English as a New Language, MSD Pike Township
Exceptional Learner Educator Excellence Award
- Kalvin Miller, Special Education, Frankton-Lapel Community Schools
- Amy Hallam, Special Education, MSD of North Posey County
Collaborative Educator Excellence Award
- Daniel Walsh, STEM, Elkhart Community Schools
- Meaghan Krukemeier, Director of Counseling, Center Grove Community Schools