Lugar creates new award for educators

WARREN TOWNSHIP, Ind. (WANE) - Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, along with Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Tony Bennett, has launched a new award for educators called the Lugar Education Patriot Award.

Through the award, spokespeople for Lugar and Bennett say the senator and state superintendent will honor a school, school corporation, or education leader who has demonstrated leadership and initiative in improving the academic achievement and career preparation of Indiana students.

Specifically, selected applicants will have to illustrate the challenges faced within the district or school, share details of action steps taken to address those challenges, and demonstrate through data a positive result.

“Many teachers, schools and school districts are taking innovative steps and helping their students to excel despite the odds,” Lugar said. “It is important that we take the time to celebrate those achievements.”

“We can’t do enough to honor excellence in educating Indiana’s students,” Bennett said. “I’m proud to join Senator Lugar in kicking off this prestigious award that targets some of our most remarkable educators and school leaders - those whose students make marked gains in academic achievement.”

Awardees will have their profiles posted on Lugar’s and the Indiana Department of Education’s websites and receive certificates designating them a “Lugar Education Patriot” along with letters of congratulations. They also will be considered for future visits from Lugar and Bennett.

Applications should be limited to 4 pages and submitted to patriot@doe.in.gov.

Questions can be directed to Georgiana Reynal in Lugar’s office at (317) 226-5555 or Matt Kirby at the IDOE at (317) 234-6791. Information on the award is available at http://lugar.senate.gov/education/patriot/.

According to their spokespeople, Lugar and Bennett chose MSD Warren Township to launch this initiative Monday because its superintendent, Dr. Peggy Hinckley, is "a proven educational innovator and has improved the progress of the Warren Township schools dramatically."