GREENFIELD — Emily Weaver radiated a smile of pride when she watched her student learn to operate a box tape dispenser by herself at the Hancock County Food Pantry.
Weaver, a functional academics teacher at Greenfield-Central High School, was about to walk down a red carpet to accept the highest honor in the state for those who work with children with special needs.
Weaver earned the Exceptional Learner Educator Excellence Award – the top of its kind in the state – at the Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala Sept. 6.
But the day before she donned her dress, Weaver spent a typical afternoon at the food pantry, making sure three students were learning how to become independent by boxing non-perishable items for those in need.
“Pull it – good job! There you are, perfect,” she said, as her student added another Popsicle stick to her growing pile to mark the boxes she packed all by herself.
Weaver walked along the aisles of the food pantry, making sure her three students were following the signs and grabbing one box of pasta, two boxes of noodles and so on until each box was filled.
“We always try to work on improving their goal,” she explained. “Can they do more boxes by themselves? Can they do the boxes without a lot of prompting?”
It was an every-day example of the impact Weaver makes on students, according to a press release from G-C schools, and why she was selected as top educator in the state for special education.
The third annual Indiana Educational Excellence Awards Gala awarded nearly $5 million to schools and educators across the state. The black-tie event focused on celebrating and elevating the work of Indiana’s educators and they support student learning. Weaver was one of 10 in the state to receive an individual award, and the only one to receive the award for special education.
“These educators are more than just teachers — they’re mentors, leaders and pillars in their communities who have touched countless lives over the years,” Dr. Katie Jenner, secretary of education for Indiana, said in a press release. “They deserve to be celebrated like the stars they are, and this event is one way for us to say ‘thank you’ for the immense difference they make every single day.”
Overwhelmed with the prestige of the honor, Weaver says the students are the best part of her job. She loves watching them grow into their own through independence and work skills that will go with them long after graduation.
Weaver splits her time between the classroom and the community, also helping students learn work skills at the local soup kitchen, a fast food restaurant and wellness center. She says the most rewarding part of her job is seeing student growth.
“We have our students for at least four years, but sometimes more,” she said. “This is what pushes me to be the best I can in order to help our students. I especially love helping students prepare for life after high school. I get the privilege of helping students with finding vocational experience, within the school setting and in the community.”
She is in her 12th full year of teaching at G-CHS. Weaver always wanted to be a teacher, and when she was a teenager she shadowed teachers in two special educational classrooms.
“It was the moment I walked in the room that I knew this is where I was meant to be,” she said.
Weaver has always had a passion for helping others, so she knew she would love her career as she studied throughout college.
“When I went in for the interview at G-CHS, I actually mentioned that I wanted to work with elementary school students,” she said. “I will never forget when someone told me that we would revisit that statement at the end of the year because I was going to love it here. Here I am now, 12 years later, at the same school. It is especially rewarding helping students who are not always able to advocate for themselves, and teaching them how to do so.”
Weaver said there are so many deserving teachers that she works closely with that could also be receiving the award. Many teachers have helped her along the way, especially on challenging days. Weaver is grateful that she can lean on her team on those difficult days and discuss what supports to put in place for students to help them in the future.
Members of Greenfield-Central’s administrative team say Weaver deserves the award. Robin LeClaire, director of student services, nominated Weaver because her dedication to helping students grow academically, socially and emotionally is deep and strong. Weaver works to find community-based experiences and work opportunities for her students, helping those with special needs be prepared for life after high school.
She makes sure they get academics and the most rigorous diploma possible, LeClaire said, and even gives homebound instruction when children can’t come to school due to illness or disability.
“The whole staff has great respect for Emily and see her as a friend and a mentor,” she said.
Dr. Harold Olin, superintendent of G-C schools, says Weaver would be an impactful educator in a variety of settings, yet her greatest passion is working with older Functional Academics students. The students enjoy their experience in Weaver’s classroom, and Weaver’s peers have a great deal of respect for her dedication and professionalism.
“She understands the importance of meeting a student where they are, and helping them develop a vision for future success,” Olin said.
Dan Walbaum, principal of G-CHS, says in the short time he has known Weaver, he has seen how committed she is to her students and their success. She is an outstanding representative of the special education department and G-C schools.
Jason Cary, assistant superintendent for the district, says Weaver has a wonderful heart for her students. She pushes them to realize their potential and go above what they think they are capable of doing on their own.
“She doesn’t do it alone. Our entire special education department is full of rock stars who work hard to make sure our students have every support they need to be successful,” Cary said. “A testament to the work that department does is simply the families who move or transfer their kids to GC just to be a part of that program. They know the reputation our special education department has, and for good reason. They are an amazing group, and Emily is a big part of what makes them so special.”
