By Andy Klotz—
Support staff, Rising Stars, school partners also honored.
MUNCIE, Ind. – Muncie Community Schools has named the 2021-22 Teachers of the Year at each of its schools. All award recipients were presented with commemorative plaques by their building principals and now become eligible for the overall district Teacher of the Year award, which will be presented at the start of the 2022-23 school year.
“I can’t say enough about this group of outstanding educators,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “They dedicate themselves to going the extra mile to make sure students feel empowered and succeed in the classroom. We have hundreds of teachers like this, and these are some of the best.”
The recipients were all nominated by their teaching peers and chosen from a group of finalists based on four categories: student success, student engagement, professional growth and colleague feedback.
In addition to a Teacher of the Year, each school also named a Rising Star, Support Person of the Year and a Partner in Education. Here is the complete list of awards:
Longfellow Elementary:
Teacher of the Year – Leslie Foster
Rising Star – Alison Lagpacan
Support Person of the Year – Wilma Underhill (Chartwells)
Partner in Education – Mary Dollison
Grissom Elementary:
Teacher of the Year – Heidi Keever
Rising Star – Chelsie Bilby
Support Person of the Year – Donna Newlin
Partner in Education – United Way
North View Elementary:
Teacher of the Year – Sarah Stone
Rising Star – Jasmine Alberts
Support Person of the Year – Josh Hourigan
Partner in Education – Malik Perry
South View Elementary:
Teacher of the Year – Denise Gawrys
Rising Star – Courtney Dragoo
Support Person of the Year – Jerry Vance
Partner in Education – First Presbyterian Church
West View Elementary:
Teacher of the Year – Kira Zick
Rising Star – Hannah Hyde
Support Person of the Year – Tracey Williams
Partner in Education – Connie Goen
East Washington Academy:
Teacher of the Year – Evan Shroyer
Rising Star – Jessica Mixell
Support Person of the Year – Sherman Bell (SSC)
Partner in Education – The Gathering Church
Northside Middle School:
Teacher of the Year – Debbie Mizelle
Rising Star – Megan Santin
Support Person of the Year – Amanda Baggs
Partner in Education – SSC Services
Southside Middle School:
Teacher of the Year – Kim Kowalski
Rising Star – Crystal Adams
Support Person of the Year – Danielle Barnes
Partner in Education – Fairlawn Church of Christ
Muncie Central High School:
Teacher of the Year – Jen Jensen
Rising Star – Elliana Kirkpatrick
Support Person of the Year – Lee Wafer
Partner in Education – Ivy Tech
Muncie Area Career Center/Youth Opp. Center:
Teacher of the Year – Jeremy Penrod
Rising Star – Colton Cox
Support Person of the Year – Stacey Hirsch
Partner in Education – Magna
About Muncie Community Schools
Serving the local community since 1855, Muncie Community Schools (MCS) educates more than 5,000 students at six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school while also managing several other educational facilities. Through its unique partnership with Ball State University, MCS strives to maximize each student’s potential so he or she can be a positive, productive member of society. Find out more about MCS or Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski at muncieschools.org.
