Hamilton Heights School Corporation is pleased to announce that Joy Volz has been selected as its Teacher of the Year. Volz, who is an English Teacher at Hamilton Heights High School, was among four outstanding professionals from the district nominated as the top pick for the building for this year’s recognition. Volz will represent Hamilton Heights at the state Teacher of the Year competition in Indianapolis in the fall.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” said Volz, who just completed her 25th year as an educator at Heights. Volz journey into education may have started by chance but she has stayed by choice.
“Being respected by my peers is a tremendous compliment,” she continued. “So many of us work so hard, and it is nice to receive recognition for our efforts. Each teacher of the year nominee was deserving of this honor because they all have such an amazing impact on their students.”
In addition to Volz, this year’s building nominees included: Kari Beery, Language Arts (Hamilton Heights Middle School); Cheri Trachtman, Art (Hamilton Heights Elementary School); and Susan Lester, Second Grade (Hamilton Heights Primary School).
Being raised by two teachers, Volz was groomed to be a natural educator, although she didn’t realize it at the time. When she left for Indiana University, she had a different path in mind. However, during her summer break from college, a chance meeting with a child named Christopher would alter her life and career path. She switched her major to English her sophomore year and earned her bachelor’s degree in education in 1994. She has never regretted that decision.
Volz has not only been a respected educator at Heights, she has served as the leader or co-leader of the School Improvement Committee for the better part of two decades. She has dedicated countless hours focusing on the concepts that make the high school a better place to learn and work.
She loves her job and it shows. She is passionate about helping her students learn and their potential shine through in everything she does.
“I have a job where I get to have a positive impact on another human being every single day,” said Volz, of what she describes as one of the most rewarding aspects of her job.
Hamilton Heights High School Principal Jarrod Mason said, “This award given to Mrs. Volz validates what her students and colleagues have known for years. The energy and passion she brings to the classroom every day is second to none, and she is relentless in finding new ways to challenge students to think and express themselves. Additionally, she is a Co-Chair for our school improvement team, and an integral player in planning meaningful professional development for our staff. The list of ‘things’ that she does to warrant this award pales in comparison to simply building meaningful relationships with students. They know she cares, and that has given her the ability to push students to perform at higher levels.”
“All four candidates of HHSC Teacher of the Year are outstanding and Joy Volz is an excellent choice to represent HHSC at the state level,” said Hamilton Heights School Corporation Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood. “As a parent of a student in her class I know she truly cares about her students while pushing them to become the best version of themselves. Joy is an amazing educator who epitomizes the caliber and qualities of the teachers we want every Heights student to experience.”
Volz’s enthusiastic and upbeat personality makes her a favorite among students and colleagues alike, with many students circling back to credit her for their success in college. Volz lives in Westfield with her husband Ryan and daughter Ellen.