Ritz Names Indiana Teacher of the Year
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowA Latin instructor is the 2014 Indiana Teacher of the Year. Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz has announced Steve Perkins of North Central High School in Indianapolis as this year's winner. October 4, 2013
News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz announced that Steven Perkins of North Central High School was named Indiana’s 2014 Teacher of the Year in a ceremony at the school today. Perkins, a high school Latin teacher, has been teaching at North Central since 1998.
“I am incredibly excited to honor Steven Perkins,” said Ritz. “Like all great teachers, Mr. Perkins realizes that teaching is not just a vocation, but a calling. In the classroom, he uses his passion for Latin to teach his students more than the language. Through Latin, he also teaches them about art, math, geography, history, English and the performing arts. Every day, Mr. Perkins works to improve his students' knowledge of the world and this honor is very well deserved.”
Perkins was born and raised in New Albany, Indiana and graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in Classical Studies and a certification in Secondary Education in 1991. He earned a Master of Arts in Classics with a minor in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin in 1995. He also earned his Administrative Certification in 2000. A selection of his career awards are below.
Honors and Awards
-Teacher of the Year; North Central High School and MSD Washington Township; 2013
-Most Influential Teacher to a Top 25 Senior at North Central High School; 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2013
-Dr. Elizabeth Watkins Latin Teacher Award; American Classical League; 2013
-Lilly Teacher Creativity Fellow; 2011
-Blazing Torch Award, Sigma Gamma Rho/Butler University; 2009
-Who's Who Among America's Teachers; 1998, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006
-Most Influential Educator to Indiana Department of Education and Indianapolis Star Academic All-Star; 2004
-Co-author, Latin for Dummies
About the Indiana Teacher of the Year Program
The Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) program began in 1957 and continues as the oldest, most prestigious state honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching. The Indiana Teacher of the Year award recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. Its mission is to build and utilize a network of exemplary teachers who are leaders in the improvement of schools, student performance, and the teaching profession.
The Indiana Teacher of the Year is chosen from among the current Indiana District Teachers of the Year who complete and submit a Indiana Teacher of the Year Portfolio to the Indiana Department of Education's Teacher of the Year Coordinator. A selection committee comprised of past Teachers of the Year reviews and ranks each portfolio following the rubric and portfolio guidelines. The selection committee determines the top ten candidates based on this evaluation system. The selection committee then conducts interviews with the finalists.
All Teacher of the Year finalists and the State Superintendent of Public Instruction will be honorary guests at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration Banquet on October 25, 2013 with their colleagues, friends, and family to celebrate their accomplishments. All ten finalists will have the opportunity to partner with the Indiana Department of Education for educational initiatives throughout the year while serving as the Department’s teacher voice in education. The Indiana Teacher of the Year will also represent the State of Indiana for all National Council of Chief State School Officers and Indiana Department of Education events.
Source: The Office of The State Superintendent of Public Instruction