COLUMBUS, Ind. – Local elementary school teachers Jill Garris and Amy Elsbury recently received the 2022 Bill and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching Award administered by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.
The award recognizes outstanding elementary teachers in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and comes with a $1,000 stipend. Recipients are nominated by their principals and must demonstrate dedication to their job, exemplary initiative, and contributions to improving the school and its environment. Nominations are accompanied by letters of recommendation from the principal, fellow teachers, parents, and students.
Garris, a physical education teacher for the past 12 years at CSA Lincoln Elementary School, was nominated for creating a fun environment for learning and playing. She was complimented for engaging her students and creating positive experiences.
Elsbury, a fifth-grade teacher at Rockcreek Elementary, was praised for her abilities to build relationships with students and engage in different learning styles to help them grow as they mature toward middle school.