Muncie Community Schools Recognizes Teachers of the Year for 2021-22

Heidi Keever is pictured.Heidi Keever is pictured.

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