Hanley Awards Given to Bartholomew Co. Teachers

Two local elementary school teachers are the 2022 recipients of the Bill and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching Award administered by Heritage Fund - The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County.

Established in 2000, the award recognizes outstanding elementary teachers in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. and comes with a $1,000 stipend. Recipients are nominated by their principals and must demonstrate dedication to their job, exemplary initiative, and contributions to improve the school and its environment. Nominations are accompanied by letters of recommendation from the principal, fellow teachers, parents and students.

Jill Garris, a physical education teacher for the past 12 years at CSA Lincoln Elementary School, was nominated for creating a fun environment for learning and playing. She was complimented for engaging her students and creating positive experiences. “As a PE teacher, Jill has an opportunity to make a difference in 350 students’ lives on a weekly basis,” Principal Brett Findley wrote in his nomination.

Amy Elsbury, fifth-grade teacher at Rockcreek Elementary, was praised for her abilities to build relationships with students and engage in different learning styles to help them grow as they mature toward middle school. “She has taken on the responsibility of making learning relevant and fun for students while maintaining high expectations of the kids,” Principal Jennifer Dettmer shared in her nomination.