Hubbard Life-Changing Teacher Award Finalists Announced

Ten Indianapolis Public Schools teachers have been chosen as finalists from a field of 161 nominated for the Hubbard Life-Changing Teacher Award. This is the second year for the United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) award which recognizes IPS teachers who make a huge impact on the lives and education of their students.

UWCI, along with a diverse panel of volunteer stakeholders, reviewed all nominations for the Hubbard award. The selection team considered how nominees invested in their students’ well being and provided instructional excellence. Classroom videos and personal interviews rounded out the selection process.

On May 27, four of the finalists will be selected to receive a $25,000 prize at a celebration dinner at the Eiteljorg Museum. The remaining six finalists will receive $1,000 each.

The finalists are:

Dave Davies: In his five years as an educator, Emma Donnan Middle School teacher Dave Davies has touched the lives of many students. He worked
in a student’s home – fixing the shower,
getting mold off the floor and even providing a new washing machine to help prepare for a new baby. One former student asked him to walk her down the aisle in the absence of her father. Another student, who contemplated suicide, confided in Dave and made it through a troubling time. In the last two years, more than 80 percent of Dave’s students have advanced their science and reading by 2-3 grade levels.

Laura DeHart: Laura teaches at Lew Wallace School 107, where she has made an impact on her fellow teachers as well as her students.

When one of her students had to go into foster care, Laura attended the student’s hearings to bring a friendly face to the process, and led a school drive to provide clothing and other necessities for the student. That student is doing very well now, and receives frequent visits from Mrs. DeHart! In the classroom, Laura introduced a new method of communication to her colleagues – they now share classroom data results with students to better understand how they’re growing in education.

Ann Mennonno: Ann has been awarded the IPS Teacher of the Year title in both 2004 and 2013. At Center for Inquiry School 27, she’s known for transforming her students into avid readers. Last year, 27 percent of her students were reading at grade level; by the end of the school year, 95 percent of students were at or above their goal level!

Ann started the Hearts in Education Teacher Outreach, which sends teachers on trips to
countries all over the world to help build schools and ensure they have the
supplies necessary to operate.

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Donna Pope-Green: As a teacher and track coach at Northwest Community High School, Donna Pope-Green inspires confidence in her students. A former track student was struggling with self esteem in high school, when Donna took the student under her wing. Her athletic and academic mentoring started the young woman on a path that led to a Ph.D. in K-12 educational leadership! Colleagues note she has strong connections with many students, and inspires hard work and focus during ISTEP+ prep.

Apple Quick: Apple developed Project SITE, an IPS transition program that meets on the campus of IUPUI. Students with cognitive disabilities receive transportation education, job skills and real world experiences that would not be
possible in a traditional classroom. Nearly half of the students who complete a year with SITE are employed, compared with 18.4 percent of
people with cognitive disabilities employed across Indiana.

Normal
0
false
false
false
EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Melissa Scherle: A second-grade teacher at Washington Irving School 14, Melissa always does whatever it takes to ensure student success. When one student’s family was struggling with homelessness, Melissa mentored the student and helped him focus on raising his grades while bonding with the rest of his family. Another student’s mother had severe health concerns, so Melissa held parent-teacher conferences at the student’s hoe to ensure everyone could attend. She is a Teach Plus Turnaround Teacher Team member, providing leadership and insight to her fellow teachers throughout the year.

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Marleen Signer: Marleen brings 37 years of teaching experience to the classroom as she educates students with significant disabilities at McFarland High School. She works
with students aged 15-22 learn
valuable skills to be successful in the real world. One
student was homeless, frequently skipping school and ready to give up on her
education. Ms. Signer became a mentor to
the student; she taught her how to take
the bus, gain employment, cook and save money. The student eventually moved in with Marleen. The young woman is working and saving money for an upcoming trip to Mexico to visit her family members.

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Roslyn Stradford: Shortridge Magnet High School for Law and Public Policy is proud of Ms. Stradford for her commitment to students. One former student was abandoned by her mother, and Roslyn mentored her through graduation, put her through college, and is now helping with her wedding. She considers this student her own daughter now! She implements the use of technology in her AP Literature classes to prepare students for college as well.

Angela Tipton: Many Key Learning Community students credit Angela Tipton with their success.

One student
in particular was in the midst of failing out of high school when he ended up in Ms. Tipton’s
class. She motivated him to not only
stay in school, but to also look at his goals for life after high school. She helped him prepare for and drove him to
take the SAT. Angela later drove him to the recruiter’s office to join the U.S. Air
Force as a space systems operator. He is
now going to school in Florida to be a recording engineer.

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

Doris Young: Doris has been teaching for 43 years – all at Broad Ripple Magnet High School for the Arts and Humanities!

Students
wrote passionately in their nomination about how she made them love school, think critically and
look at the world beyond themselves

Mrs. Young runs
the Humanities Advisory Council, a club for humanities students to support
Broad Ripple. This club adopts families
in need at Christmas, giving students the opportunity to give back. She
has helped to shape the curricula for AP English, American Studies, Individual and
Society, and Ethics and Alienation

Normal
0
false

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

We are proud to have so many amazing educators in our district, and we look forward to celebrating their hard work with UWCI!