Teacher Scholarship

Teacher Scholarship
Teacher Scholarship

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.

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