2021 Reams Teaching Award Recipients Announced

COLUMBUS, Ind., December 22, 2021 -- Local private school teachers Libby Cravens, Sue Breeding and Cheryl Thill are recipients of the 2021 Reams Family Awards for Excellence in Teaching administered by Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Established in 2007 by former Bartholomew County residents Fred and Karen Reams, the annual awards recognize outstanding educators teaching in the private schools serving Bartholomew County and come with a cash stipend. Recipients are nominated by their principals with additional recommendations encouraged from fellow teachers, parents and students.

1st-place award recipient Cravens ($5,000), a fifth-grade teacher for the past three years at White Creek Lutheran, was nominated for holding her students to the highest level of performance and building relationships with them and their families. She encourages choice and responsibility in school work, and her students are school leaders in attitude and helpfulness.

Breeding ($4,000) has been with ABC-Stewart Montessori School for 23 years. A computer and First-Year Classroom teacher, she was instrumental in transitioning the school to eLearning during the pandemic last year. Breeding also provides a popular dulcimer camp for students.

Columbus Christian English teacher Thill ($3,000) was recognized for her passion to see her students succeed. She encourages them to reach beyond boundaries they often set for themselves and is a team player who is respectful and genuine with her peers.

About Heritage Fund
Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County was formed as a community foundation in 1976 with the purpose of continuing a legacy of giving by providing an opportunity for all citizens to make gifts and establish charitable funds to benefit the local community. It was created primarily to: provide responsible stewardship of gifts donated for broad charitable purposes; promote leadership to address community issues; serve as a catalyst for positive change in partnership with others; and promote philanthropy broadly within the community.