Education

By Brandon Coppernoll— Muncie, IN—TechWise Academy is announcing its Spring 2021 computer science classes with a focus on robotics and coding for K-12 students. Classes are held in the Coding Connector at the Innovation Connector building on White River Boulevard. The computer science curriculum gives students the tools to find ways to problem solve and explore curiosity and creativity. Students are encouraged to embrace mistakes to learn quickly and grow in confidence in classes. Instructors facilitate an environment where students can take risks and enjoy the learning process. “Our classes are designed to challenge students while giving them foundational problem…

By Susan Fisher, Muncie Public Library, Photos by Laura-Lea Hughes, Burris Laboratory School— Muncie, IN—Muncie Public Library (MPL) and Burris Laboratory School are excited to announce the recent roll out of a READ card program that will put a special library card in the hands of all students, faculty, and staff at Burris. The partnership will increase access to MPL books, audio-visual items, database resources, and eResources. “As soon as the partnership was approved, I shared details about it with our students and they have been very excited to get and use the new READ card,” said Laura-Lea Hughes, Media Specialist…

By U.S. Office of Public Affairs— Muncie, IN—Muncie Central High School student Taegan Carpenter has been named one of more than 4,500 candidates in the 2021 U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. The candidates were selected from nearly 3.6 million students expected to graduate from U.S. high schools in the year 2021. Inclusion in the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program is one of the highest honors bestowed upon graduating high school seniors. Scholars are selected on the basis of superior academic and artistic achievements, leadership qualities, strong character and involvement in community and school activities. The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program was established in 1964…

By Jennifer Gasiorek— Muncie, IN—Emery Peck is the new Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County campus.  Peck has been with the college for 7 years in various roles. In his latest role, he played an integral part of Ivy Tech’s leadership as the Strategic Outcomes and Innovation Engineer. “Emery is strategic thinker. He is a thought leader and his passion in leading in this role is developing outcomes that lead to student success,” said Jeffrey D. Scott, Chancellor. “He is the right person for this role as he has proven successful as the interim Vice…

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN—Officials at Muncie Community Schools have decided to temporarily close Northside Middle School until next week in response to a recent uptick in positive COVID-19 test results at the school. Students will shift to e-learning, utilizing the district’s Schoology learning management system, for the rest of this week. In-person learning is expected to resume on Tuesday. “We wanted to be extra cautious here since we have seen a small increase in cases in a short period of time,” MCS Director of Public Education and CEO Lee Ann Kwiatkowski said. “We consulted the County Health Department and…

By Barbara Schafer— Muncie, IN—ecoREHAB is partnering with Eastern Indiana Works and Ball State University to provide training in the basic skills needed for a career in the construction industry. This FREE sixteen week program will be a combination of classroom and onsite training focused on carpentry, electrical, HVAC, masonry, and plumbing. Sessions will also be presented on proper workplace behavior and interview skills. The scheduled start date is January 19, 2021 and will take place in Muncie. While in the program, trainees will be paid an hourly wage and provided most classroom supplies, construction tools, and proper work gear. Eastern…

By Andy Klotz— Muncie, IN – The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) has selected West View Elementary second grade teacher Kelsey Pavelka as an Outstanding Dual Language Teacher. She is one of just nine teachers in Indiana to receive the award. “I feel so fortunate to be recognized for doing the thing I love so much, teaching in a dual language immersion classroom,” Pavelka said. “I love the program’s mission and vision, and I’m proud to help children develop the cross-cultural competencies needed to succeed in a multicultural society and global economy.” AATSP Director Gabriela Coolidge…