Sheridan Community Schools honors outstanding educators & retirees

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

Sheridan Community Schools (SCS) recently honored multiple staff members who have made an impact on the school and the community.

At the end-of-year breakfast on Friday, May 23, SCS Superintendent Dave Mundy shared about all of the success that SCS has had this year, especially with the outstanding staff members.

Teacher of the Year
Angie Viehe, Kindergarten

SCS awarded this year’s Teacher of the Year to Angie Viehe.

Viehe, a current kindergarten teacher, is known for being able to do it all. She is patient, passionate, and kind. She inspires her students, staff members, and families within the community and to know her is to love and respect her. She ensures every child in her class feels valued. She is the master of differentiation in her classroom and meets kids where they are, which is especially needed as a kindergarten teacher.

Support Staff Member of the Year
Katie Will, Sheridan Elementary School

Katie Will was awarded the Support Staff Member of the Year.

She started her career at Sheridan Elementary School in August 2014 as an Instructional Assistant in first grade. While working in that position, she helped support young learners with care and patience. In 2020, she moved into her current position as SES Secretary.

Will is known for her hardworking attitude and her ability to always take on a new task. She has brought so much heart, dedication, and attention to detail to the front office. She is always the first face students, families, and visitors see, and her warm smile and helpful attitude sets the tone for a welcoming and supportive environment.

Shining Star Award
Chuck Sears, Sheridan Middle School

The Shining Star award was added this year and is given to an educator who has been with SCS for fewer than five years and has truly shown remarkable impact in a relatively short amount of time. This year’s recipient is Chuck Sears.

Sears has been with Sheridan for two years as an eighth-grade math teacher. He also serves as an advisor for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and one of the Varsity Boys Basketball Assistant Coaches. One of his greatest gifts is his ability to bring joy and positivity to those around him, whether that is through a kind word, his Thursday Thought, or Friday Funny. He constantly uplifts students and staff and has a natural ability to spread joy and support a positive and engaged learning environment.

Before joining Sheridan, Sears taught seventh- and eighth-grade science at Cowan Jr./Sr. High School and coached junior varsity boys basketball for two years. He then taught math and coached varsity boys basketball at Morristown Jr./Sr. High School for two years. He spent 29 years at Belzer Middle School teaching seventh-grade science and coaching boys basketball and girls softball, earning a Teacher of the Year award. He also taught Algebra at Beech Grove High School for five years.

IDOE distinguished Educator Award
Amy Wilson, Sheridan Middle School

Amy Wilson was awarded the Department of Education (DOE) Distinguished Educator Award.

Wilson received her bachelor’s degree from IUPUI and began at Sheridan Middle School in August 2018 as an ELA teacher. In her career, she has also taught fourth grade, fifth grade, has worked as a Middle School Interventionist and in Middle School Curriculum and Instruction at McGraw Hill.

She has demonstrated exceptional instructional effectiveness in her ILEARN growth year after year, but she also builds strong meaningful relationships with her students. She fosters a love for reading and writing in all students by creating an inclusive, engaging classroom where learners of all abilities feel supported and empowered. Her strong connections with students and skill in differentiating instruction help every child find success. She is also a respected leader at SCS, collaborating with colleagues and sponsoring several clubs and teams.

Retirees
Stephanie Lego & Mary Norris

Finally, two more teachers who are retiring from SCS are Stephanie Lego and Mary Norris.

Lego served as the Reading Interventionist at Sheridan Elementary School, but she started as a Preschool Instructional Assistant in 1995 and later transferred into the classroom in 1997. SCS is so grateful for the 30 years she has dedicated to the students and staff of the elementary school.

Norris served as a fifth-grade teacher, but she started as an Instructional Assistant in 2009 and transferred into a teaching role in 2012. She has devoted over 15 years to serving the needs of the young minds that grace the halls of Sheridan Elementary.

SCS thanks each of these outstanding people and teachers for their wonderful commitment and dedication.