Surprise Federal Teacher and School Leader Grant Announcement in Indiana

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen and Indiana Superintendents Patrick W. Mapes (Perry Township), Dr. Laura Hammack (Brown County) and Dr. Diane Woodworth (Goshen), join a packed house of educators and leaders to celebrate the receipt of a $47 million federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program grant. Through the grant, NIET will serve more than 25,000 students, 1,500 teachers, and 80 teacher leaders across 32 schools. Read the full story. 

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen (far right), Perry Township Schools Superintendent Patrick W. Mapes, Goshen Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Diane Woodworth (second from left) and Brown County Schools Superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack gather at Jeremiah-Gray Kindergarten Academy in Indianapolis to announce a $47 million federal Teacher and School Leader Incentive Program grant to benefit all three districts.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen visits with Perry Township students about the impact outstanding educators have on their studies.

Jeremiah-Gray Kindergarten Academy Principal Lora Hansell welcomes the audience. She considers it an "honor and privilege" to serve the Perry Township community, and knows that instilling a growth mindset in students starts early. At JGKA, the staff showcases a special "achievement wall" that students can sign when they work hard and meet their goals.

The ultimate goal of increasing educator effectiveness is student achievement and motivating students to lead their own learning. Southport High School Senior Christopher De La Cruz is among several students who collaborate with faculty on strengthening teaching and learning in his school. With a foundation of "amazing teachers," his group's goal is to advance learning that much further.

"We are growing kids, and that's because we have effective educators," Perry Township Schools Superintendent Patrick W. Mapes told the audience of teachers, students, officials and community leaders. "Our teachers are always getting better, which makes our students better, and we've got the data to prove it." What's more, veteran teachers of 20 and 30 years tell Mapes that they are getting the best instruction of their lives.

Goshen Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Diane Woodworth tells the audience about the district's  journey from a D state rating to a C, then to earning and maintaining a B rating today. "We are so excited to be able to help students reach their dreams," she said.

"We are now able to develop and reward our talented teachers and leaders while simultaneously positioning ourselves to attract and retain high-quality teachers," said Brown County Superintendent Dr. Laura Hammack, who leads a small, rural district serving 1,800 students across six schools. 

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen (second from left) and Goshen Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Diane Woodworth visit with Marian University Klipsch Educators College Dean Dr. Kenith Britt (right) and Indiana State Representative and House Education Committee Chair Bob Behning. Britt has led innovative efforts to prepare aspiring teachers for the expectations of the classroom. Behning has worked to scale up practices that support teacher leadership. 

In her presentation, NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen emphasized that the work being done by Perry Township, Brown County, and Goshen to increase educator effectiveness sets an example for other districts throughout the state and country. Today's grant announcement is testament to their progress.

"Our partnerships across Indiana and nationally show that when teachers and principals lead schools with a focus on excellence, reflection, and collaboration, students excel," she said.