Hamilton Heights School Corporation is pleased to announce this year’s Building Level Teachers of the Year. Teachers who earned this year’s recognition include: Stephanie McQuinn, Special Education (Hamilton Heights High School); Megan Mathew, Physical Education (Hamilton Heights Middle School); Tricia Rudy, Guidance and Behavior Support (Hamilton Heights Elementary School); and Robin Hartley, Second Grade (Hamilton Heights Primary School). One of these educators will be selected to represent the corporation at the Indiana Teacher of the Year competition in the fall.
Stephanie McQuinn
Stephanie McQuinn has been an integral part of the high school special education program working with students who face a variety of challenges for the past 13 years. She has served as the Special Education chair for the past 10 years. Her vision, experience and leadership has helped transformed the department into one of the best at the school.
It is McQuinn’s belief that every student has a special gift and her goal is to help develop those gifts to use for future success. Her style of teaching and ability to connect with her students helps them to develop confidence and find their passion. She carries a caseload of about 30 students each year, typically working with students for two to three years during their high school tenure.
“My job is very rewarding,” said Stephanie McQuinn of her work with students in the Resource Room. “In addition, I am privileged to work with an amazing staff that support one another and make my job fun.”
McQuinn, a resident of Cicero, brings a love of her profession, 21 years of experience and a degree in Special Education from Purdue University to her work. In addition to being a teacher, McQuinn is also a wife and mother to three boys, ages 12, 14 and 18.
Megan Mathew
In just a few short years at Hamilton Heights, Physical Education teacher Megan Mathew has emerged as a dynamic teacher-leader who inspires her students and colleagues alike. Mathew, who comes from a long line of educators, has successfully blended her love of physical activity and working with children into her role at Hamilton Heights Middle School. She engages and challenges her students to make positive lifestyle choices and be passionate about their overall wellbeing.
Her professionalism, compassion, leadership and ability to build strong relationships have helped transform PE and Health into a lively and dynamic program at the Middle School.
Mathew, the 2016 Indiana Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (IAHPERD) Middle School PE Teacher of the Year Award recipient, has also demonstrated a unique talent to seek out, write and successfully receive money to the benefit of the middle school and school corporation.
She earned her undergraduate degree in Kinesiology at Indiana University and her Masters in Special Education from Western Governors University. She lives in Noblesville with her husband Ryan and their two children.
Tricia Rudy
In her role at the Primary and Elementary Schools, Tricia Rudy maintains a cooperative relationship with faculty, staff, administration and families to facilitate guidance support for all students. Rudy works with teachers to plan grade level lessons (K-5) to support social emotional learning, motivation at school, as well as kindness and anti-bullying initiatives. She works to ensure that students know they are seen, are important and they belong.
Rudy, who has been working with children for nearly two decades, is often seen teaching other teachers how to incorporate growth mindsets and metacognition into their own classrooms. She is excited to continue building relationships between teachers, administration, students and families within the Heights community.
Rudy holds a degree in Cultural Anthropology from Ball State University and earned her teaching license through Indiana Wesleyan University. She joined Hamilton Heights in 2005 where she taught first grade for 11 years before transitioning into her current role in 2017. Rudy lives in Noblesville with her husband and two children, ages 16 and 18.
Robin Hartley
Robin Hartley is among one of the most respected teachers at Hamilton Heights. Hartley, who has taught second grade for most of her teaching career, earned her place among the best and brightest through hard work and a dauntless pursuit of the latest research, methodologies and best practices. She set measurable goals, involved her students and made learning fun.
Hartley, a graduate of Hamilton Heights, always wanted to be a teacher. Hartley’s ability to engage, inspire and ensure second grade is a memorable experience for nearly 30 years is directly related to her love and dedication to her profession. She graduated Cum Laude with her undergraduate degree and Summa Cum Laude with her Masters from Ball State University. She considered it an honor to return to northern Hamilton County to teach, live, raise her family and give back to the community she calls home.
Hartley lives in Arcadia with her husband Mike. They have two grown sons.
About the Teacher of the Year Program
The selection process for the annual Teacher of the Year begins after Spring Break. The annual Teacher of the Year nominees should reflect Hamilton Heights School Corporation’s Core Values of Innovation, Community, Accountability, Respect, Encouragement and Excellence. A nominee must have received a Teacher Evaluation Rating of either Effective or Highly Effective the previous year at HHSC to be considered for the Building Level Award.
From the nominees, the building level Teacher of the Year is chosen by the building level administration team. Selection is based on nominee’s reflection of HHSC Core Values and Teacher Evaluation Rating. Building Level Teachers of the Year are asked to submit a Professional Biography, Philosophy of Teaching and Letter of Support by May 15. The selection committee meets to review information submitted for each candidate and make their selection for the HHSC Teacher of the Year by June 1.
About the INTOY Program
Each year, the Indiana Department of Education conducts this special program to recognize outstanding classroom teachers from across the state. One person, in accordance with National Teacher of the Year guidelines, is chosen to represent Indiana teachers at the national level.
All school corporations are invited to share in this recognition program by honoring their teachers and nominating one teacher to represent local educators at the state level of the program. IDOE hopes the underlying idea behind the recognition of excellent teachers will spread to every community in Indiana.