Six IPS Educators Named Hubbard Life-Changing Teachers
United Way of Central Indiana and Hubbard Family Foundation present $25,000 each to four teachers and two principals
United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) announced tonight the six individuals from Indianapolis Public Schools who were named as Hubbard Life-Changing Teachers. Each winner received a $25,000 prize. [watch recap]
The four teachers who won Hubbard Life Changing Teacher Awards were: Daphne Draa, CFI 2; Stella Vandivier, Marion County Jail School; Antonia Powell, Arlington Woods School 99; and Marleen Signer, McFarland School.
The two principals who won Hubbard Life Changing Teacher Awards were Julie Bakehorn, Arsenal Tech High School, and Margi Higgs, Rousseau McClellan School 91.
Each winner was surprised with a check, a video tribute highlighting the impact he or she has on their students and schools, and a red glass-etched apple commemorating the event.
“These six educators do so much more than just teach and lead our young people – they turn students’ lives completely around,” said Al Hubbard, who serves as Chairman of E&A Companies, an Indianapolis-based business. “These four teachers and two principals go that extra mile every day to teach, nurture and inspire our students and educators to be the best they can be. Because so much of their work is done behind the closed doors of the classroom or their school, we’re delighted to have this chance to share their extraordinary efforts with our entire community.”
“Exceptional teachers – the ones who elevate their students and their profession – are one of the most important factors in the effort to improve education,” added Ann D. Murtlow, United Way’s president and CEO. “United Way advocates for and supports access to high-quality education. With teachers and educators like the ones honored tonight, and with investment in quality education programs, our children can have a clear path to success in life.”
Now in its third year, the Hubbard Life Changing Teacher Award is managed by United Way of Central Indiana and funded by longtime education champions Al and Kathy Hubbard representing The Hubbard Family Foundation.
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Hubbard Life Changing Teachers and Principals
“Thanks to this teacher, my daughter Elizabeth takes risks, sets goals and believes that her voice matters,” said parent Judith Cebula.
Ms. Draa has mentored Elizabeth, among countless other students, both academically and emotionally. She has taught them the resilience to “fail fabulously” and how to move their creative thinking across all subject areas. With Elizabeth, Ms. Draa invested significant personal time to help with her project on the woman who helped make the Indiana Dunes a national park. The project won the Unsung Heroes Award from the Lowell Milken Center, but as Elizabeth said, “What was even more important was the great student-teacher bond we formed.”
Another student, Michelle, is now a teacher in IPS due to the incredible support she has received since being a fourth grader in this teacher’s classroom. Ms. Draa helped her find her love for teaching and supported her as she applied for college and achieved her professional goals.
Ms. Draa strives to instill in her students how art provokes change and allows her students the opportunity to advocate for what they really care about. One of her students concluded, “She deserves this award more than anyone I know.”
Stella Vandivier, Marion County Jail School
“She maintains a commitment to educating students even in the direst of circumstances. She is confronted daily with complex issues, but devotes herself to problem solving and institutional stability for her students,” said a colleague of Stella Vandivier.
Ms. Vandivier works in the Marion County Jail School, where she must educate students who are often dealing with serious emotional and mental issues, as well as being years behind academically. She has worked hard to make the school a safe and positive place for these students to attend, regardless of the often serious crimes they have committed.
A fellow teacher said of her that, “she changed the climate of the jail program from demeaning to inspiring. She works to help her students return to the community as better students and better citizens.” Ms. Vandivier works to get her students to grade level, while also serving as their emotional support while behind bars.
One student shared of the impact of having her in their lives, “She will do almost anything to see us smile. I’ve learned so many new things about life and its ups and downs from being with her and she gives us great advice. She is a caring, loving and inspirational woman.” Another said, “She helped me a lot when I first got to jail and made me feel like there was hope.”
Antonia Powell, Arlington Woods School 99
“She is able to guide and nurture students to become the best they can be. Not only does she believe they can, she backs it up with a never ending daily effort to make sure success is always within their reach,” shares Daniel Kriech, a longtime colleague of Antonia Powell.
Ms. Powell is able to build incredibly strong relationships with her sixth grade students because she treats them as if they are her own. She uses a tough love approach and the highest expectations to get the very best from them.
After losing her own son through tragedy, Ms. Powell took in her three great nieces when they needed structure and a place to live. She has become an important role model in their lives. She has helped them achieve academically and, as the eldest niece says, “She has become our hero. I don’t know where we would be without her.”
Colleague Daniel Kriech spoke of her influence, “She has phenomenal classroom management skills. She has the ability to establish a positive rapport with every child with whom she comes in contact. She becomes the pillar in her students’ lives that many so desperately need. She always goes above and beyond for her students. You couldn’t count the number of students that she has put the ‘Powell imprint’ on.”
Marleen Signer, McFarland School
“When I graduate this May, I will be the first person in my family to finish high school. I was going to drop out at 14 before I met my teacher. I didn’t like coming to school and I didn’t know how to read. She has made me a completely different person,” student Raquel Perez shared about Marleen Signer.
Ms. Signer has dedicated the last 39 years to students with special needs. She has taught her students not only how to read and write, but also how to ride the city bus, get a job and be independent in the real world.
Raquel is one of those students. She not only learned to read and been named an outstanding employee at her job, but she also lived with Ms. Signer when she needed a safe place. Ms. Signer then found Raquel a more permanent place to live while continuing to assist in her academic success.
Raquel says, “She is devoted to all of us in the classroom. She gives me inspiration to keep dreaming and to work so I can reach my goals. I have learned the confidence I need to move on to new things in a new place next year, with new people and the adult world.” Raquel will be giving a speech at her graduation next week – thanks in major part to Ms. Signer.
Principal Julie Bakehorn, Arsenal Tech High School
According to a colleague of Julie Bakehorn, “she turned our building from an F school into an A school by focusing on the things that really mattered: engaging lessons, curriculum standards, small group instruction, assessments, attendance, time on task and classroom procedures. Once these were in place, she turned to academic achievement and encouraged her teachers to really know their data and progress. Students no longer looked at assessments with drudgery, but with enthusiasm.”
Ms. Bakehorn has also made her schools places students want to be. Judith Carlile, a data coach that followed Ms. Bakehorn to her new school, wrote, “it’s more than just academics at this school. Ms. Bakehorn pushes for student involvement in extracurricular activities. Her philosophy is ‘You want students to do well in the classroom? Well, get them involved in activities outside your classroom!’”
She also has served as an incredible mentor to several teachers and assistant principals, who are now running their own schools. One colleague added, “I have never heard her tell anyone she doesn’t have time to guide, support or listen to them. She gives of her professional and personal time willingly and without hesitation. Her expertise and support have helped all across IPS.”
Ms. Bakehorn has turned around failing schools twice in her career by changing the culture and raising student, teacher and community expectations. She has taken her strategies from the elementary level to the largest high school in IPS.
Principal Margi Higgs, Rousseau McClellan School 91
Principal Margi Higgs has taken a struggling school and created a strong child-centered community where teachers and students love to be.
One of her teachers commented, “She encourages every student and staff member to love learning and continue to better themselves. She puts her personal best into the school and students and creates an environment that is positive. She is champion for all of us.”
Beth Hernly, a parent, goes on to say, “I have two sons at this school. This principal worked hard to receive federal magnet grant funding for the school – over $1 million dollars! – so that the teachers could get the right training for the Montessori curriculum. Both my sons received an excellent education, thanks to her.”
Teachers in her school go on to say, “This principal is simply the best principal I’ve ever had the opportunity to work for” and “her amazing ability to create connections with parents, staff, and students – within the school and district-wide, is life-changing.”
She has also fostered an incredible special education program, writes another parent Leesa Hertz, “this principal has made a success story out of my son, who has developmental disabilities. She treated him as a regular student, helped him make academic gains, set an example of acceptance for him, and had a vision for his success right from Day One.”
Ms. Higgs plans to retire after 43 years of transformative leadership.