Knightstown Intermediate School Principal John Boyer, center, accepted an award for excellence in academic gains from the Indiana Department of Education. To Boyer’s right is Lisa Kennedy, fifth grade team leader; Jediah Behny, superintendent of the Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation; Wade Beatty, school board president; and Indiana Rep. Tom Saunders, R-Lewisville.
Submitted photo
KNIGHTSTOWN – Knightstown Intermediate School received a prestigious state award for academic gains, earning a $500,000 stipend to continue work with its Hispanic population.
Principal John Boyer accepted the award Sept. 9 at the inaugural Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala, an event Sept. 9 hosted by the Indiana Department of Education in Indianapolis.
The award was presented for gains in English/language arts for subgroups in education, such as Hispanic, African American, free and reduced lunch and special service students. Boyer said the school’s highest gain was in its Hispanic population, which went from 33% proficient to 92% proficient in the last two years’ ILEARN test scores.
The Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation received a $500,000 stipend from the state for the honor. Other schools honored for academic gains were East Gibson School Corporation, Paramount Englewood and Western School Corporation.
The gala brought together nearly 400 educators and guests from across the state, according to a news release from the DOE. It also recognized the 2022 Indiana Teacher of the Year finalists, and presentented other awards such as excellence in science education, early literacy and leadership.
In total, the state awarded nearly $4.6 million to schools to celebrate their progress.
“Indiana’s first-ever Educational Excellence Awards Gala brought together some of our most impactful educators and school leaders, whose daily work is helping countless students to ignite their own purpose, know their value and understand the possibilities for their life’s path,” said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education, in a press release. “We know that real impact for students happens at the educator level, and our team remains dedicated to supporting educators and amplifying their good work.”
Boyer accepted the Knightstown award on behalf of his school, alongside Superintendent Jediah Behny; Lisa Kennedy, fifth grade team leader; Wade Beatty, school board president; and Indiana Rep. Tom Saunders, R-Lewisville.
