Indianapolis, IN- Teach Plus, a national non-profit that empowers teachers to lead improvements in policy and practice, has selected 40 highly-effective teachers as Fellows of its 2018-19 Indiana Teaching Policy Fellowship. The Fellows will develop the skills to advocate for education policies that better serve Indiana students and teachers through a course in policy and advocacy. They will further their impact through collaborative work on key issues and interactions with district and state decision makers.
“Our new Fellows come from diverse backgrounds and have a strong desire to make positive change in their classrooms, schools, and districts,” said Carlotta Cooprider, Teach Plus Indiana Executive Director. “We’re looking forward to another exciting and impactful year ahead as we continue to add teacher voice to discussions around Indiana education. This group of Fellows will build on the success of the 17-18 cohort which resulted in Teacher Permits, Examinations, and Salaries bill (SB 387) being signed into law with extensive feedback and recommendations from Teach Plus teachers.”
“Before Teach Plus, I didn’t realize that teachers can use their voice to impact educational decisions that affect them and their students,” said Jerome Flewelling, physics teacher at Crown Point High School, Teach Plus Indiana Teaching Policy Fellow, and 2018 Indiana Teacher of the Year. “I’m hoping my time as a Fellow enables me to have a greater influence on those decisions. I’m looking forward to influencing my profession in a whole different way.”
The incoming Fellows represent nearly 20 different school districts. The teachers are all proven leaders who have demonstrated commitment to their students through their dedication to the profession. They have been selected because of their unwavering commitment to their students and their profession.
The 2018-19 Indiana Teaching Policy Fellows are:
London Bailey, Indianapolis Metropolitan High School, Goodwill Education Industries
Kathleen Barbosa, KIPP Indy College Prep, IPS Innovation School
Disha Bhagwat, George Washington Community High School, Indianapolis Public Schools
Kristin Bolek, Avon High School, Avon Community School Corporation
Tranee Christian, Harshman Middle School, Indianapolis Public Schools
Marier Cox, MSDWT Greenbriar Elementary, Washington Township
Nancy Cruse, Maple Glen Elementary School, Westfield Washington
Lindsey Daniel, Austin High School, Austin Scott County School District 1
Drew Elliott, Clarence Farrington School 61, Indianapolis Public Schools
Jerome (Flew) Flewelling, Crown Point High School, Crown Point Community Schools
Stephanie France, Boonville High School, Warrick County
Tasha Getts, Fort Wayne Community Schools
Samantha Griffith, Christel House DORS West, Christel House Schools
Kristien Hamilton, Greencastle Middle School, Greencastle Community School Corporation
Murray Harbour, North Clay Middle School, Clay Community Schools
Mark Harnew, Whiting High School, School City of Whiting
John Hesser, Harshman Middle School, Indianapolis Public Schools
Melinda Hopkins, Carroll High School, Freshman Center, Northwest Allen County Schools
Santina Johnson, Whiting High School, School City of Whiting
Shawn Lamberson, 21st Century Charter School, Gary-Lake
Kristen Lents, Harris Academy, Brownsburg Community Schools
Gayle Mooney, Scott School, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
Lauren Moore, West Goshen Elementary School, Goshen Community Schools
Jitka Nelson, Logansport Community High School, Community School Corporation
Danica Park, Maplewood Elementary, MSD of Wayne Township
Shelby Phelps, Central High School, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
Juanita Price, Tindley Summit Academy, Tindley Accelerated Schools
Caitlynn Richardson, Chapel Hill 7th and 8th Grade Center, MSD of Wayne Township
Abigail Robinson, Paramount School of Excellence
John Riley, Shortridge IB High School, Indianapolis Public Schools
Helen Shere, Shortridge High School, Indianapolis Public Schools
Linda Smith, Yorktown Middle School, Yorktown Community Schools
Kathe Streeter, Jefferson Traditional Middle School, South Bend Community School Corporation
Jee Su Choi, Lighthouse Academies of Northwest Indiana, Lighthouse Academies of Northwest Indiana
Jennifer Thomas, Indianapolis Public Schools Non-Public Title One, Indianapolis Public Schools
Catherine Trinkle, Avon High School, Avon Community School Corporation
Zoe Walker, Tindley Summit Academy,Tindley Accelerated Schools
Elizabeth West, Westlake Elementary, MSD of Wayne Township
Molly Wilder, KIPP Indy College Prep, Indianapolis School District
Deanna Wyrick, Whispering Meadows Elementary School, Southwest Allen County Schools
About Teach Plus
The mission of Teach Plus is to empower excellent, experienced teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that affect their students’ success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has trained thousands of teacher leaders across the country who are driving policy changes and improving the instructional practices of teachers to create an education system driven by equity, access, and excellence for all students. teachplus.org
