2008 Indiana Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced last week the 10 finalists for Indiana’s 2008 Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes outstanding teachers from the state’s 293 public school corporations and state-accredited nonpublic schools.

“More than ever, teachers are working hard to improve student achievement,” Dr. Reed said. “These 10 individuals are the best and the brightest, and their hard work and dedication is a tribute to the profession.”

The Teacher of the Year program is open to all licensed classroom teachers who intend to remain active in the teaching field. Nominations for the program are requested each year from all local school superintendents and accredited nonpublic school officials.

School officials are asked to nominate one teacher by submitting a portfolio in which the teacher's exceptional qualities and accomplishments are described by students and former students, colleagues and supervisors, and friends from their communities.
 
Local school superintendents nominated 53 public and nonpublic educators as the 2008 Indiana Teacher of the Year. All nominees will be honored November 7, 2007, at the Hilton Indianapolis North at a dinner hosted by the Indiana Department of Education and the program's corporate sponsors -- Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., the Farm Bureau Insurance Companies and Scholastic Inc.

The 10 finalists were selected based on criteria that include a concern for students, the ability to inspire learning, and an ability and willingness to work cooperatively with colleagues. Each of the finalists will be interviewed on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 by a Department of Education committee, comprised of department personnel, and external community and education leaders—including former teachers of the year.

The winner, which will be announced in mid-to-late September, will represent Indiana at the national Teacher of the Year competition in Washington, D.C., in the spring and receive prizes including a $1,000 from Indiana Farm Bureau, Inc., a portfolio from Farm Bureau, Inc., and Farm Bureau Insurance, Sabbatical/Higher Education Scholarship Opportunities, a framed certificate and an Indiana Teacher of the Year pin and ring.

The National Teacher of the Year Program, presented by the ING Foundation, is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers and sponsored by Scholastic Inc.

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