Indiana Educators Selected for Fellowship to Bring Creativity Into the Classroom

Today, the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) announced that 20 educators from across the state have been chosen to participate in the Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching, a program centered on bringing arts and creativity into the classroom. This prestigious program invites educators to participate in hands-on training sessions followed by the implementation of a full semester of arts integration activities in the classroom. 
 
The Fellowship for Creative Teachers is a program of the IAC, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE), that celebrates and supports outstanding educators throughout the state in implementing creativity-centered innovation in the classroom.  
 
Research shows creative teaching strategies, also known as arts integration, improve student engagement, student learning retention, and student literacy skills.

“We are proud to be working with some of the most energetic, innovative educators across the Hoosier State through this fellowship,” said Stephanie Haines, Arts Education and Accessibility Program Manager at the IAC. “It is inspiring to meet with so many passionate Hoosiers who are ready to integrate arts and creativity into the classroom to the benefit of their students.” 
 

The 2024 Creative Teaching Cohort is as follows:  

• Amber Sims, Central Middle School (Bartholomew County)  
• Amelia Shaw, Columbus North High School and Columbus East High School (Bartholomew County)  
• Brooke Hamlett, Hornet Park Elementary (Marion County)  
• Christine Gauer, Saint Patrick School of the Terre Haute Deanery (Vigo County)  
• Denise Wampler, Southside Elementary School (Bartholomew County) 
• Duane Curry, Christel House Academy West (Marion County) 
• Emily Thien, Eastwood Middle School (Marion County) 
• Gregg Nowling, Purdue Polytechnic High School Englewood (Marion County) 
• Joscilyn Acosta, Premier Arts Academy (Elkhart County) 
• Kathie Kenworthy, York Elementary School (Elkhart County) 
• Laurisa LeSure, Wilson Elementary (St. Joseph County) 
• MacKenzie Cox, Centerville Junior High School (Wayne County) 
• Maria Edwards, St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (Lawrence County) 
• Mary Dinkel, Fayette Elementary School (Vigo County) 
• Mickie Magnuson, Greater Clark County School Corporation (Clark County)  
• Molly Oros, Valparaiso High School (Porter County) 
• Nicole Schadek, Purdue Polytechnic High School Schweitzer Center at Englewood (Marion County) 
• Raeanne Yatska, New Castle High School (Henry County) 
• Sarah Elrhanjaoui, William Tell Elementary (Perry County) 
• Shawn Charlton, Bartholomew County Youth Services Center (Bartholomew County) 

 
The fellows will attend a series of virtual learning sessions and will receive three days of immersive, hands-on training in connecting creativity to state standards, access to a fully funded in-school creative arts residency, and a $1,000 honorarium.   
 
Learn more about the Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teaching. 
 
Educators who are interested in learning more about arts integration are invited to attend the three-day in-person Summer Institute for Creative Teaching, alongside the Creative Teaching Cohort. This training opportunity will take place from July 10-12 at the Herman B. Wells Community Center at Lebanon High School.  The fee to attend is $110, and scholarships are available.