Jean Russell is a Teach Plus Indiana Teaching Policy Fellow who is a literacy instructional coach in Southwest Allen County Schools. As the 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Jean focuses on recruitment and retention of great teachers in Indiana. Additionally, she works alongside professors at Indiana universities and colleges to create continuity between education preparatory programs and the classroom, and provides a voice for teachers with state policymakers. Jean holds a BA in Elementary Education from the University of Illinois and a MA in Elementary Education from Indiana University – Purdue University Fort Wayne. She is a recipient of the Sagamore of the Wabash Award, Indiana’s highest civilian honor, and the Indiana University Armstrong Educator Award. She serves on the ISTEP Alternative Assessment Panel, Blue Ribbon Commission, CAEP, and Kappa Delta Pi focus groups.
