Carmel Clay Schools announced 25 outstanding educators who have been named Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalists. These remarkable individuals will be recognized for this honor during the Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year Banquet on April 25th. One teacher will be selected to represent Carmel Clay Schools at the Indiana Department of Education’s Teacher of the Year program.
Hundreds of nominations were made by students, parents, colleagues and community members. A selection committee comprised of teachers, administrators and a representative from the Carmel Education Foundation reviewed each nomination.

• Holly Adams, 4th Grade Teacher at Carmel Elementary
• Adrienne Chyba, 1st Grade Teacher at Cherry Tree Elementary
• Joseph Gasser, Fifth Grade Teacher at College Wood Elementary
• Jessica Tenbrook, Kindergarten Teacher at Forest Dale Elementary
• Cherie Struve, 5th Grade Teacher at Mohawk Trails Elementary
• Kay Sharp, 1st Grade Teacher at Orchard Park Elementary
• Amanda Dillon, Kindergarten Teacher at Prairie Trace Elementary
• Cynthia Hill, 3rd Grade Teacher at Smoky Row Elementary
• Mindy Bland, Media Specialist at Towne Meadow Elementary
• Douglas McCreary, 5th Grade Teacher at West Clay Elementary
• Jamie Marciano, 3rd Grade Teacher at Woodbrook Elementary
• Rebecca McElhannon, Performing Arts Teacher at Carmel Middle School
• Shawn Peters, Social Studies Teacher at Carmel Middle School
• Stacy Arnold, Math Teacher at Clay Middle School
• Dan Patane, Social Studies Teacher at Clay Middle School
• Wesley Drew, Social Studies Teacher at Creekside Middle School
• Ann Gray, Language Arts Teacher at Creekside Middle School
• Tony Dunham, English Teacher at Carmel High School
• Will Ellery, Social Studies Teacher at Carmel High School
• Allison Hargrove, Social Studies Teacher at Carmel High School
• Tungfen Lee, World Language Teacher at Carmel High School
• Jill Noel, Business Teacher at Carmel High School
• Eric Rauch, Science Teacher at Carmel High School
• Scott Staley, Math Teacher at Carmel High School
• Erin Wien, Math Teacher at Carmel High School

The Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year award is endowed by the Stephen A. Backer Memorial. Mr. Backer was an advocate and supporter of Carmel Clay Schools and served on the School Board for seven years until his passing in March 2009. The Stephen A. Backer Memorial was started shortly after his passing. Donations in support of the Stephen A. Backer Teacher of the Year Award may be made through the Carmel Education Foundation.