 The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation, The Success School, seeks nominations for the Educator of the Year Awards to be held this year, at the Chamber’s 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th. Teachers, program directors, counselors, administrators, and instructional staff, from either Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland Bean-Blossom Community School Corporation are eligible for this recognition.
“The Success School is deeply committed to celebrating the outstanding educators who shape the future of our community,” said Katie Sensabaugh, Director of The Chamber’s Foundation & Internal Operations. “These educators not only excel in their professional roles but also significantly contribute to the well-being and development of our students. We are proud to honor their dedication and impact through these awards.” Outstanding Educator Awards will recognize outstanding service and dedication to the field of education, fellow educators, and Monroe County youth. Those wishing to nominate a deserving educator should contact the Chamber’s Success School at (812) 336-6381 or download a nomination application from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberBloomington.org. Nominations are due by August 5th, 2024, to be eligible for consideration. The Educator of the Year Awards program was established in 2001 to bring members of the business and education communities together while recognizing and celebrating outstanding contributions in the field of K-12 education. The highly coveted awards are given to individuals who have been nominated by school staff, parents, students, and the business community at the Educator of the Year Awards. This year, the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce will be adding the Educator of the Year award program to the 109th Annual Meeting & Community Awards on September 26th.
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 The Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce Success School is proud to announce the recipients of the 21st Annual Educator of the Year Awards.
For over two decades now, The Chamber’s Success School has championed excellence in education with the annual awards ceremony, which recognizes the best teachers and programs in accredited schools across Monroe County. This year eight educators, one educational program, and one lifetime achievement recipient will be honored in a community celebration at the 21st Annual Educator of the Year Awards to be held on the evening of Thursday, March 3rd, 2022, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at Ivy Tech Community College – Bloomington’s Shreve Hall. The program will feature student-led entertainment with a performance from the Tri-North Jazz Band. Presenting sponsors, Cook Group and Solution Tree, will also join the Chamber in presenting our honorees with their awards. Awardees are selected from a pool of nominees from across Monroe County by a committee composed of leaders from the public sector, business community, and education. The awardees for 2022 are as follows.  The Chamber’s Success School seeks nominations for the 21st Annual Educator of the Year Awards Ceremony to be held on March 3rd. Teachers, program directors, counselors, administrators, instructional staff, and special programs from either Monroe County Community School Corporation or Richland Bean-Blossom district county are eligible for this recognition.
“It’s an extreme privilege for the Chamber’s Success School to honor such a gifted and dedicated group of educators each year. One of the great assets this community possesses is two school districts up to the challenge of inspiring and shepherding our youth to become the productive adults. These awards are the community’s opportunity to pay tribute to those underappreciated educators who deserve recognition,” said Christopher J Emge, Principal of the Chamber’s Success School.” Those wishing to nominate a deserving educator should contact the Chamber’s Success School at (812) 336-6381 or download a nomination application from the Greater Bloomington Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.ChamberBloomington.org. Nominations are due by January 10th, 2022 to be eligible for consideration.  Kathleen Hugo Why did you choose the field of education as a career?
As a college freshman in Texas, I had a friend who was a sign language interpreter. I went with her to visit a preschool classroom for Deaf students. I was immediately taken by the teacher’s skill in helping her students develop both communication and academic skills. I thought “that is what I want to do.” Interestingly, when I finished college, my first job was in that same school, working alongside that teacher who had so inspired me. What is one piece of advice you would give to a person entering into the education field during an unprecedented times? I’ve come to realize the power that educators have to transform the lives of their students. I’ve seen it so many times through the years—how a skilled and committed teacher can make the classroom (even a virtual classroom) a place where students can grow and thrive, academically, socially, and emotionally. I would want anyone entering the field, regardless of the times, to be aware of the immense power they hold in shaping students’ lives.  Why did you choose the field of Education for a career?
I have always loved learning and working with people. By the age of 16, I felt reasonably confident that education was my destiny. Many of my mentors motivated me to pursue a career in teaching. As I continued working on my degree in education and exploring my interests in music and sports, I found myself serving in leadership and teaching roles in all three areas. However, teaching was my passion. I loved learning and helping others grow and learn. My goal in becoming a teacher has always been to support and nurture a community of lifelong learners. Schools play such an important role in our society. I believe teachers are responsible for helping children develop the skills and values needed to succeed and be successful community members. When our schools and teachers are provided with needed resources, our children grow. When our children succeed, our communities and our country reap the benefits.  Why did you choose the field of education as a career?
I was always interested in teaching. Every summer, I’d visit my grandmother, a public school teacher in Memphis. We’d go on walks together and talk about her students. Stories ranged from funny math lessons to student gifts, and words of wisdom from her teacher colleagues. However, as a child, I wanted to be a composer. I moved from Tucson, Arizona to IU to major in music composition. There, I volunteered to help Sandra Freund’s elementary students compose melodies. I LOVED it. After graduating, I found a day job as a paraprofessional at BHSS, supporting Jennifer Robinson in the community based classroom. From her, I learned the effectiveness of patience, consistency, and high expectations. I enrolled in the MAT certification program and was going to be a high school orchestra director. However, after seeing Brent Gault in action during an elementary music methods class, I was hooked on teaching elementary kids.  Why did you choose the field of education as a career?
I started IUB as a business major...off to conquer the corporate world. Even though the Kelley School of Business is top notch, I found myself unsatisfied with my studies. It was unsettling as someone who always had a plan to feel unsure about their future. As a Lilly Scholar, one of my requirements was to volunteer in the community. I signed up to volunteer at the local hospital, hoping that I may find a desire to work in medical administration. When I arrived, they asked if I would mind working in their childcare center. I figured this placement would keep me away from blood, so I happily accepted. At the center I worked with the classroom teachers in ages 2-5. I prepared lesson materials, organized lunches and snacks, helped with toileting and handwashing, and worked one-on-one with students. For the last hour of each volunteer session, I found myself working in the pre-K room. I read stories, sang songs, played games, and helped students with basic writing skills, and I loved it. I soon found myself spending just as much time searching for new children’s books and learning new songs, as I did studying for my classes. By the end of the semester, I realized that the best part of my week was my volunteer session. I enrolled in the School of Ed. the following semester.  Why did you choose the field of education as a career?
I have always thought of myself as a teacher from the time I was a little girl teaching to my stuffed animals on my bed, grading papers, and taking attendance. I felt like I had a gift for explaining the math to my classmates. I was always very athletic and thought I could teach physical education. Since the openings for physical education was scarce, my father encouraged me to major in math and minor in physical education, which is exactly what I did. I was hired in 1984 to do just that: Teach math and use my physical education minor to coach swimming at Batchelor Middle School. Choose three words to describe your educational philosophy that guides you as an educator. I have always tried to be fair with my students and embraced my own shortcomings and have encouraged my students to learn from their mistakes. I always tell students that if there is a mistake they feel I have made whether it be in my grading or instruction to let me know. I am not afraid to admit if I made a mistake and I love to hear when students correct anything I may have said or done. This shows me they are really paying attention and are taking ownership with their learning. I feel as though I am friendly with my students. I love to hear about their interests, hobbies, and activities. Many students over the years have parents who have been former students of mine. I enjoy it so much when a student says to me that I was their mom or dad’s math teacher. Lastly, I feel that I make a connection with students by being fashion - conscious. I love to compliment students on their attire and enjoy when a student compliments me on mine.  What makes your school unique?
How did you first get into education? I started as a business major at IU and took an interest in inventory that helped me look into switching my major to education. I worked at the IU Bookstore to earn spending money. While there I met another girl, who was majoring in elementary education. After talking with her and helping her with her assignment, I decided I might have something to offer to future elementary school students. When I was in school, I was one of those kids that loved school so much, I would rather go to school sick than have to stay home and miss out on something! As an education major, I decided t wanted to become a teacher that would provide those same kinds of experiences to my students! Growing up in Bloomington, I had so many wonderful teachers. They were the reason I wanted to go to school every single day. They made learning and being in school so fun and exciting.  Rob Moore, program chair What is the program’s mission statement, and what are its primary goals? How would you describe it to someone unfamiliar with it?
The purpose of MCCSC Adult Education’s Indiana Online Only Distance Education for English Language Learning program is to provide instruction for adult English language learners locally and throughout the State. We partner on this project with Vincennes University, who has an IOODE program for adults studying for the high school equivalency tests. We envisioned that a similar opportunity for English Language acquisition would complement this effort and afford English language learners an equitable opportunity to develop the skills they need to achieve the following goals:
To describe it to someone unfamiliar with it, the program consists of English classes offered through videoconferencing and online software for adults at various skill levels both locally and throughout the State to help them learn English as a new language. |
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