GMS Recognized at IDOE Excellence Gala

Grissom Middle School was recognized at the third annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala held in Indianapolis on Friday, September 6. Grissom won the Excellence in Academic Gains Award.

This prestigious award comes with a grant of $177,000! Schools must use the grant funds as indicated by the IDOE to continue the amazing work that the school was doing to earn the recognition; or choose to spend the money on projects related to any of the Educational Excellence Awards categories.

The Excellence in Academic Gains Award recognizes an individual school that has made the most progress in improving achievement for all students. One or more of the following must be demonstrated by the award recipient:

• increased academic achievement for students as indicated by ILEARN English/language arts/Mathematics assessment results
• prioritization of initiatives focused on accelerating learning
• implementation of progress monitoring and evidenced-based practices for students in need of extra support

On hand for Grissom’s award recognition at the Gala were P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, Principal Jenn Sinclair, Assistant Principals Eric Spatt and Greg Stover, Director of Student Services Dr. Jenny Sears, and 8th grade ELA teacher Josh Kelver.

The IDOE Excellence Gala also shown the spotlight on the finalists for the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year, Indiana’s 2023 Milken Educator Award recipients, and other dedicated educators from across the state.

Walt Disney Music teacher Robi Davidson was among the Top 10 Finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year.

A Penn-Harris-Madison school has either won or been recognized at the Indiana Department of Education an Educational Excellence Award since it’s inception in 2022:

• Fall 2023, Penn High School was recognized with the Excellence in College Readiness Award and received a $250,000 grant from the IDOE! 
• In 2022, then Walt Disney Principal Ryan Towner was recognized as Indiana’s 2021-2022 Milken Award winner. Principal Towner was also recognized at the 2023 event as the Milken Award winner.
• Also in 2022, teacher Amanda Fox was recognized as Indiana's finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). Mrs. Fox was also recognized at the 2023 Gala for being a Top 10 Finalist for Teacher of the Year.