Teachers of Distinction Awards honor classroom excellence

KOKOMO, Ind. - A longtime Kokomo teacher, principal, and coach was among seven educators honored by Indiana University Kokomo's School of Education, at its recent Teachers of Distinction awards program.

The late Charley Hinkle was honored with the school's Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors those who have made a significant and lasting impact in education in the IU Kokomo region.

Chris Darr, interim dean of the School of Education, also presented the Early Career Award and Teachers of Distinction Award at the event.

Former Teacher of Distinction award winner Vincent Lorenz, recipient of the Indiana State Teachers Association Hoosier Educator award for 2025, congratulated the honorees, calling teaching "one of the most significant, transformative roles a person can take in society."

The Kokomo High School science teacher said people remember teachers not for perfect lectures or flawless worksheets, but for their impact.

"Teachers are builders, said Lorenz, B.S. '12, M.S. '20. "Not with bricks or steel, but with knowledge, encouragement, and care. Every student that walks into a classroom is full of potential, questions, fears, and dreams. And the teacher is there, day in and day out, helping to shape that raw material into something extraordinary."

Teachers are more vital than ever, he said, because they help students make sense of all the information readily available to them and should be more valued by society than they are.

"When we invest in teachers, we invest in every child they will ever teach," he said. "And that is an investment with infinite returns."

Award recipients

Hinkle's daughter, Susan Braswell, accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award on his behalf from Darr, who read from his nomination by Kokomo High School Principal Angela Blessing.

Hinkle, who passed away April 15, spent his entire career with the Kokomo Schools, starting as a teacher at Elwood Haynes and Sycamore elementary schools. He later became principal at Sycamore and then created and served as principal of the Wallace Integrated Arts School, which blended core academics with a strong emphasis on the arts.

After retirement he was twice elected to the Kokomo School Board. He also served on the Kokomo Howard County Public Library board and the Kokomo Parks Board.

"Charley Hinkle is a model of what it means to dedicate one's life to education and community," Darr said, reading from the nomination. "His influence has been, and will continue to be, felt across classrooms, stages, playgrounds, and neighborhoods. His legacy is one of compassion, creativity, and commitment. His life's work has truly transformed the region, one child at a time."

Teachers of Distinction honorees were selected in a nomination process, honoring noteworthy work over the last five years. Winners must have a record of excellent teaching that has a significant, meaningful impact on students.

Those recognized included:

• Kyle Etherington, B.A. '08, has taught history at Rossville Jr.-Sr. High School since 2018. In addition to his classroom teaching, he serves as a girls' basketball coach and a sports broadcaster for basketball games. He impressed the awards committee with his passion, his positive influence on students and his desire to inspire young people.
• Christi Keller, B.S. '06, M.S. '23. She has taught for both Kokomo and Northwestern schools, including Elwood Haynes Elementary. She is currently the lead teacher at the Excel Center in Kokomo, a free public school for adults working to earn their high school diploma. She's currently enrolled in IU Kokomo's Educational Leadership EDS program.
• Abby Lefler, B.S. '19, Ed.S.'23. She will begin a new job at Porter County Education Services this fall. She is a school psychologist and was praised for her ability to convey difficult information to students and their parents, as well as for her work ethic and sound judgement.

The Early Career Award is granted to IU Kokomo School of Education alumni who have shown outstanding work and effort in the first four years of their careers,

Those recognized with the Early Career Awards were:

• Michaela Norwich, B.S.'21, teaches fourth graders at Sts. Joan of Arc and Patrick School, Kokomo. She was commended for creating an art club and a robotics club for her students and helping them raise money for charities.
• Hannah Sandefur, B.S. '24, a science teacher at Western Middle School. She's created a science club at the school and brought students to campus for sustainability field trips.
• Victoria Wunderlich, B.S. '21, a fifth grade English teacher at Western Intermediate School. She was nominated for Teacher of the Year in her district after her first year of teaching, and was commended for helping students discover a love for reading.

Education is KEY at Indiana University Kokomo.

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