Bartholomew Consolidated Schools recognized two of the district’s teachers earlier this week for receiving the William and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching Award.
Clarissa Cook, a fourth-grade teacher at CSA Lincoln and Pat Jones, with Southside Elementary were honored.
The award is administered through Heritage Fund: The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County and it honors elementary school teachers for their dedication to their job, their initiative and their contributions improve the school and its environment.
According to the Heritage Fund, Cook was nominated for her energetic teaching style and dedication to ensuring her students leave the classroom prepared for the future.
Principal Brett Findley wrote in his nomination: “While Clarissa exceeds in all the criteria needed to be considered for this award, it has been her commitment to making sure CSA Lincoln continues to be successful that stands out the most to me.”
Cook has served as the school’s Universal Design for Learning coach and is a member of the district STEM committee and a literacy and cheerleading coach.
The Heritage Fund reports that Jones is a 35-year educator and teaches third- and fourth-grades. She was nominated for her love of teaching that brings out the best in each of her students.
In his nomination, Principal Jeff Backmeyer wrote: “Mrs. Jones is the teacher that you want teaching our young people.”
Jones is an Instructional Consultation Team leader and the former special education teacher was praised for using expertise from her experiences and training to help facilitate strategies in her classroom as well as the classrooms of others.
Amy Laker, the scholarship manager for the Heritage Fund, explained the origins of the award: