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GMS Recognized at IDOE Excellence Gala

GMS Recognized at IDOE Excellence Gala
Left to right: Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker, Teacher Josh Kelver, AP Eric Spatt, Principal Jenn Sinclair, Dr. Jenny Sears, and AP and Greg Stover

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.

Grissom IDOE Excellence in Academic Gains
Supt. Dr. Jerry Thacker, GMS Principal Jenn Sinclair, and PHM School Board President Chris Riley

 

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.

GMS staff at IDOE Excellence Gala

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.

Josh Kelver and Robi Davidson
Grissom teacher Mr. Kelver and Walt Disney teacher Mr. Davidson have been best friends since 8th grade!

 

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: