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UPDATE 7/25/18 – Our Washington Township Teacher of the Year, has been named an Indiana Teacher of the Year Finalist by the Indiana Department of Education! Congratulations Meredith Schaar! We are Washington Township proud! Meet the finalists here: https://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/toy/2019-intoy-finalists.pdf
Meredith Schaar, fifth grade teacher from Nora Elementary was named 2018 Washington Township Teacher of the year! Meredith will represent Washington Township at the Indiana Department of Education State Teacher of the Year competition.
A word about Ms Schaar from Amber Walters, Principal of Nora Elementary:
I have walked alongside Miss Meredith Schaar over the past four years at Nora Elementary where she has served as a fifth grade classroom teacher. Miss Schaar makes it a top priority to build positive relationships with students and to make learning come alive for each student in her classroom. Miss Schaar is a reflective practitioner and life-long learner who constantly seeks ways to grow professionally so that she can provide more for her students, her colleagues and the community. She works diligently each day to learn from others and in turn shares her own passion for learning and knowledge. Miss Schaar researches grant opportunities locally and nationally to ensure she has the resources needed to make her creative teaching and learning ideas come to life. This spring she wrote a grant to attend the Get Your Teach On! Conference in California to grow and bring back new ideas to put into action in her classroom.
Miss Schaar has created numerous themed learning activities, all developed around state standards for her students. These activities are not only fun, but highly engaging and purposeful. There are not many traditional elements in Miss Schaar’s creative classroom, as she employs flexible seating, one to one technology, and standards based STEM units that are highly engaging and relative for all students. To take learning to the next level even beyond her own classroom walls, Miss Schaar is dedicated to helping other teachers grow and embrace learning at this higher, more engaging level for students. Just this past year, she walked alongside two other colleagues to develop Cub Quest at Nora Elementary. Cub Quest was designed to provide students and staff the opportunity to learn together, get to know each other, and work collaboratively to start the school year by building positive relationships. Within these three days, each student and staff member were placed in a school family that meets regularly throughout the year to build positive relationships and connections. This is a true testament to her dedication and focus on making a difference for all students and staff. In addition, she has developed her own blog to share and collaborate with other teachers from around the nation and world.
Miss Schaar is the true definition of a life-long learner, a passionate and dedicated teacher, and an educator who gives 200% every single day for her students. Miss Schaar’s classroom is where every parent wants their child to be and to learn. A room where there is love, laughter and learning all day, everyday. Miss Schaar is most deserving of being honored as the Washington Township Teacher of the Year. Her dedication to education and student learning far exceeds the limits of her own students and her own classroom. She is dedicated to ensuring all students are provided access to learning opportunities that bring learning to life, that make learning meaningful for all, and so much more! Miss Schaar is passionate about education and the well-being of the whole child. It is an honor to write in support of Miss Meredith Schaar. I invite you to visit her classroom and see firsthand the difference she is making in the lives of her students and our school community each day. A difference that will truly last a life time.
Mrs. Amber Walters
Principal of Nora Elementary
Congratulations Meredith and best of luck at the state level. We are Washington Township proud!
