Travis Kauffman named March Husky Hero

Hamilton Heights High School Social Studies teacher Travis Kauffman has been named the Husky Hero for the month of March.

Kauffman, now in his 15^th year of teaching at Hamilton Heights, has also served as the Head Coach for the Girls Soccer program at the high school. He has earned a respected reputation as an educator and as a person.

“Travis cares about how his students perform in his class, but more importantly, he invests in their lives as people,” HHHS Assistant Principal Mitch Street said. “He and his family have poured themselves into our community and we are blessed to have them in our community.”

Here’s what some of the nominators had to say about Kauffman:

“Mr. Kauffman has been an amazing mentor to my daughter throughout her high school years,” Heather O’Neill said. “He is academically gifted, and his love of teaching is evident every day. He consistently communicates with us as parents, and I have watched my daughter gain so much confidence and flourish because of him. Additionally, he volunteers to help in so many ways. Whether it’s drama club concessions or mowing the huge school lawn in the cold rain, the man always shows up. We love Mr. Kauffman and his passion and feel he’s incredibly deserving of the Husky Hero award.”

“Travis was recently recognized as a Serve Noblesville Star by completing Service of 10 years in a row with his Girls JV and Varsity Soccer Girls,” Bradford Malin said. “He constantly gives back to the community when he has extra time. Mr. / Coach Kauffman is a Husky Hero and a HHHS Rock Star.”

“He does a great job leading the girls Husky soccer team,” Kayleigh Lyell said. “We have an exchange student this year and she hasn’t played soccer in a while. He has been awesome at welcoming her and helping her feel part of the team. It’s been really amazing to watch him coach – he practices integrity and hard work above wins, and it seems to be working because our Husky girls are on fire! My student doesn’t have him as a teacher – but I hear through the grapevine he is pretty great at that too.”

“Caring teacher and coach! Amazing role model!” Karlee Lantzer said. “Always goes the extra mile for his students and team.”

“Receiving this recognition was an honor,” Kauffman said. “People that work in the public schools don’t do it for accolades and awards but because we care about our students, and we love to see them grow and succeed. So, to receive this based on student nominations confirms that I, and other teachers, are making a positive difference in the lives of students, some of whom may truly need positive interactions from teachers who cheer and help them.”

Kauffman’s motivation is always the growth and success of students.

“It’s rarely an easy path, but the toughest things are often the most rewarding,” he pointed out. “Especially at this time of year, we begin to see where the year’s journey has taken us academically and in other areas of our lives. That’s what I enjoy most – seeing and hearing that what students have achieved and how they’ve grown throughout the school year is in ways and in degrees that they didn’t even think were likely.”

Kauffman said, “The award is a recognition for what has been done and it’s a motivation to continue to keep working and fighting to build up, teach, and encourage those who will lead our future and teach others what they have been taught.”

Do you know a Husky Hero? Nomination forms and information about this special recognition program for Hamilton Heights employees are available at bit.ly/hhschuskyhero. The Husky Hero Recognition program is made possible through the Hamilton Heights Educational Foundation in partnership with Craig and Amber Bowen (FC Tucker). #hhedfoundation