Teacher
Enhancement Scholarships
Six Kokomo
School Corporation educators are pursuing additional degrees or professional
development opportunities thanks to two scholarship programs offered through
the Kokomo Public Schools Education Foundation.
Maple Crest
STEM Middle School Principal Tom Hughes, Sycamore International Elementary
School teachers Kimberly Larmer and Lisa Reding, and Elwood Haynes Elementary
School teacher Lydia Standish received Walter J. Moss Teacher Enhancement
Scholarships to pursue advanced certifications or degrees.
Central
Middle International School teacher Nicole McDorman and Bon Air Elementary
School teacher Daire Short earned the first-ever Susan and Wayne Luttrell
Teacher Enhancement grants to further their education.
Maple Crest
Principal Tom Hughes is utilizing his award to pursue his PhD in Educational
Leadership from Indiana State University. Principal Hughes is beginning work on
his doctoral dissertation on STEM education and school turnaround.
“I have a
great deal of passion for the Maple Crest school community,” Principal Hughes
added. “I have chosen to work on a dissertation that will continue to build my
knowledge and understanding of the best methods of instruction and specific
curriculum changes necessary to improve our school outcomes, while also helping
our students develop the skills needed for 21st Century jobs.”
Sycamore
Elementary Special Education teacher Kimberly Larmer will use her scholarship
to complete a certification and earn a license to teach students who are deaf
or hard of hearing. Ms. Larmer is pursuing this certification through Indiana
State University.
“Indiana
currently has a great need for deaf and hard of hearing teachers,” Ms. Larmer
explained. “I am grateful for the opportunity to learn and improve my skill
set. I hope to continue closing gaps for students, while helping them find
success in their learning.”
Sycamore
Elementary KEY Kindergarten teacher Lisa Reding plans to use her Walt Moss
scholarship to earn a High Ability license through Ball State University. Ms.
Reding has taught Sycamore’s high ability kindergarten students for 16 years.
“I
absolutely love my job,” Ms. Reding noted. “I am excited to take classes that
will help me learn new strategies to meet the individual needs of my students.
As an educator, I believe it is vital to continue pursuing professional
development.”
Elwood
Haynes Developmental Preschool teacher Lydia Standish is using her Walt Moss
Scholarship to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from Ball
State University. Mrs. Standish earned her undergraduate degree from Ball State
in 1993. At that time, Mrs. Standish majored in Special Education – mild
disabilities with a minor in Early Childhood Special Education.
“By earning
my Master’s degree, I will be able to further my knowledge as it relates to all
areas of special education, including students with autism, multiple
disabilities, and emotional disorders,” Mrs. Standish explained. “I also will
have the opportunity to learn more about assistive technology as well as
educational law.”
Mrs.
Standish added: “I am thankful to the Walt Moss family for providing this
scholarship opportunity. I am excited to earn this degree as it has been a goal
of mine for many years.”
Central
Middle International School English teacher Nicole McDorman is utilizing her
Susan and Wayne Luttrell scholarship to enroll in an Arts Integration
Certification program through the Institute of Integrated Arts and STEAM.
During this program Mrs. McDorman will learn about incorporating arts standards
into lessons and assessments, analyzing data, and learning approaches to
professional development that can further the integrated arts initiatives at
Central Middle International School.
“I sought
out this program because I want to be able to more effectively teach English,
and my English standards, while integrating the arts,” Mrs. McDorman noted. “I
am hoping to leave this program with a better understanding of how to plan
integrated arts lessons, so I can meet the needs of my students while using
art. I also hope that I can inspire my co-workers and help them understand how
to integrate art in middle school classrooms in an easy and effective way.”
Bon Air
Elementary School Special Education teacher Daire Short plans to use her
scholarship from the Luttrell family to earn her Master’s degree in Special
Education – Intensive Interventions from Purdue University Northwest. Ms. Short
earned her Bachelor’s degree in Special Education – Mild and Moderate
Interventions.
“I would
like to thank the Luttrell family for providing me the opportunity to continue
my education in order to better serve my students,” Ms. Short noted.