Inside the Classrooms of 2021 NIET Founder's Award Finalists

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen celebrates Douglas MacArthur Elementary School's 2021 NIET Founder's Award in Indianapolis with Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner, Perry Township Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes, and school staff.

Pictured from left to right: Superintendent Mapes; Dr. McQueen; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal Star Hardimon; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Master Teacher Suzy Hall; Dr. Jenner; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Master Teacher Nikki Blackley, and Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Assistant Principal Kyle Scaringe.

Read the full story: Douglas MacArthur Elementary in Perry Township Is Named NIET Founder's Award Finalist, Earns $10,000.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen presents Douglas MacArthur Elementary School with an obelisk and award check at a special celebration during a Perry Township Schools board meeting.

Pictured from left to right: Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Master Teacher Suzy Hall; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Master Teacher Nikki Blackley; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Assistant Principal Kyle Scaringe; Perry Township Schools Superintendent Patrick Mapes; Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal Star Hardimon; NIET Indiana Director Jen Oliver; and NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen.

Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal Star Hardimon proudly displays a framed copy of State Senate Resolution 43, congratulating the school on its 2021 NIET Founder's Award.

Pictured at the podium is Perry Township Schools Superintendent Pat Mapes.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen (right), Indiana Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner (middle), and Douglas MacArthur Elementary School Principal Star Hardimon (left) discuss how to build a positive school culture using structures of teacher leadership and support.

NIET CEO Dr. Candice McQueen and staff celebrate the 2021 NIET Founder's Award with the "superhero" leaders and staff at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School.

The school leadership team is pictured in the center with Dr. McQueen, from left to right: Master Teacher Suzy Hall; Master Teacher Nikki Blackley; Principal Star Hardimon; Assistant Principal Kyle Scaringe; and Dr. McQueen.

Principal Star Hardimon credits the support of the district – led by Superintendent Patrick W. Mapes – and the school for helping her lead Douglas MacArthur to an A state rating through developing her teachers as learners, challenging their thinking, continuously analyzing data, and getting results.

Read the full story: Douglas MacArthur Elementary in Perry Township Is Named NIET Founder's Award Finalist, Earns $10,000.

Photo courtesy of Perry Township Schools

It's time to celebrate! Perry Township Schools Superintendent Patrick W. Mapes (center), Assistant Superintendent for Foundational Learning Vickie Carpenter (far right), and Director of English Learners and Professional Development Whitney Wilkowski (second from right) join Douglas MacArthur Elementary Principal Star Hardimon and Assistant Principal Kyle Scaringe to congratulate the whole school on its selection as an NIET Founder's Award finalist and its accompanying $10,000 prize.

NIET West Director Patti Cruz (center, right) presents Michael Anderson School Principal Lori Goslar (center, left) and staff with an obelisk for their work as a finalist of the 2021 NIET Founder's Award. The school also received a $10,000 cash prize. 

Photo courtesy of Avondale Elementary School District

Michael Anderson School's partnership with NIET has led to growth in teachers' skills and gains in student achievement: The percentages of students testing proficient in English language arts and math have more than doubled, and the school's state rating has jumped from a C to a high B.

Read the full story: Michael Anderson School in Avondale Earns $10,000 as NIET Founder's Award Finalist. 

Photo courtesy of Michael Anderson School

Through reflective professional learning guided by expert teachers, support and follow-up in classrooms, and pre- and post-conferences with individual teachers, Principal Tammie Phillips and her team are working to maintain North DeSoto High School's A state rating and take their practice to the next level.

Read the full story: North DeSoto High School Receives $10,000 as NIET Founder's Award Finalist.

Photo courtesy of North DeSoto High School

At Goshen's Prairie View Elementary, students are meeting and exceeding proficiency targets at higher percentages than state averages because all teachers are consistently supported, valued, and committed to excellent instruction.

Read the full story: Goshen's Prairie View Elementary Receives $10,000 as NIET Founder's Award Finalist.

Photo courtesy of Prairie View Elementary School

Inside a Prairie View Elementary School classroom, Goshen Community Schools, Indiana

Photo courtesy of Prairie View Elementary School

Goshen Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Hope congratulates Prairie View Elementary School Principal Donna Wiktorowski (left) and her team on their selection as a finalist for the 2021 Founder's Award. The school has received $10,000 and is under consideration for the grand prize of $50,000.

The celebration was attended by district administrators, school board members, and local officials including Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and State Indiana Representative Joanna King.  

"We congratulate the staff at Prairie View, and the students; they are also working hard every day to learn more, and to dream bigger dreams," said Hope. "Our staff provides the opportunities for their students to grow into their best selves, and that is why we are here today celebrating."

Goshen Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Steven Hope visits Prairie View Elementary to congratulate Principal Donna Wiktorowski and her team on their selection as a finalist for the 2021 NIET Founder's Award.

The celebration was attended by district administrators, school board members, and local officials including Mayor Jeremy Stutsman and State Indiana Representative Joanna King.  

"As administrators, we are all delighted that Prairie View is being honored by NIET," said Hope. "The staff has embraced and implemented the tenets of NIET into their daily schedules, and it has proven to support teachers and improve student achievement."