Heritage Fund Announces Reams Teaching Award Winners
Local private school teachers Vicki Murphy and Whitney King are recipients of the 2022 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 Murphy ($5,000), a seventh- and eighth-grade teacher for the past two years at White Creek Lutheran, was nominated for her dedication and creativity that leaves a lasting impact on students and families. A science enthusiast and leader, Murphy is credited for unifying the student body and teaching staff by including all the grade levels in schoolwide STEM experiences and projects.
“Mrs. Murphy sets a wonderful example for her students in dedication, perseverance and compassion. She has committed herself to lifelong learning and professional growth,” Principal Whitney Vandercar wrote in her nomination.
King ($4,000) has been with ABC-Stewart Montessori School for three years and is praised as an essential part of the success of the school’s preschool program. She demonstrates an innate love for teaching young minds through the Montessori philosophy and works hard to educate children at their individual level.
“Ms. King shows grace, calmness, caring and passion in the classroom each day. She understands the child’s natural desire for order and knowledge. She gives each one of her students this gift of education, independence and responsibility daily,” Director Stefanie Stafford wrote in her nomination.
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.