Heights’ Kim Kaiser recognized with Dual Credit President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction

Kim Kaiser, Hamilton Heights High School educator and High School Business Department Chair, was honored by Ivy Tech Community College with the Dual Credit President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction.

Kaiser was selected from over 100 Ivy Tech dual credit instructors in the Hamilton County Service area. The award recognizes dual credit teachers for their excellence in instruction and representing the mission of Ivy Tech.

Hamilton Heights High School Business educator, Kim Kaiser, is a 2022-23 Dual Credit President’s Award for Excellence in Instruction recipient from Ivy Tech College. Hamilton Heights High School Principal Jarrod Mason, Abby Tremain, Director of K-14 Initiatives at Ivy Tech Hamilton County Campus, and Rachel Kartz, Ivy Tech Hamilton County Interim Chancellor, also at-tended the recognition ceremony that was held in June at the Garment Factory in Franklin, Ind. Mason (right) is pictured with Kaiser, who is holding the coveted limestone “Ivy Tech Oscar.” (Photo provided)

A dual credit instructor from each of the 19 Ivy Tech campuses across the state was chosen to be recognized this year. Noblesville Ivy Tech campus nominated Kaiser, who was surprised and honored by the selection.

Kaiser, a Hamilton Heights graduate, earned both her bachelor’s in business administration and business education and master’s in education at Ball State University. She began her teaching career at Heights in August 1999 and will begin her 25th year as an educator this year. During her tenure, she has served in many roles to support extracurricular activities and taught DAR, Personal Finance, Web Design, Hospitality & Sports Marketing. Currently, she is the Business Department Chair, the school’s Intern/Coop/Cadet Coordinator, BPA/DECA Advisor and manages the SBE Husky Fan Shop. Dual Credit courses include Business Law, Marketing, Strategic Marketing, Business Management, which she teaches along with Austin Nicole.

The College honored each one of the 19 winners for their excellence in instruction and their positive impact on the dual credit students that they served during the 2022-2023 academic year at a special ceremony in June. A Selection Committee made up of Ivy Tech faculty, program chairs, and college administration, selected the honorees based on nominations from various stakeholders including dual credit students, secondary and post-secondary administrators, and Ivy Tech K-14 team members.

“Kim is an incredible asset in many ways including the work she is doing as a dual credit instructor at Hamilton Heights High School,” Hamilton Heights High School Principal Jarrod Mason said. “She is extremely knowledgeable with an engaging and inspiring style that help students rise to the challenge of college-level work. She prepares students for greater success in their future college classes through discipline, focus, and skills to master their post-secondary coursework.”

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Heights had 234 students enrolled in dual credit programming through Ivy Tech Community College in Noblesville. Heights, in partnership with Ivy Tech, awarded 1,183 post-secondary credits to students prior to graduation this year. Heights offers 12 dual credit courses with several teachers qualified to teach these courses.