One may expect to hear that a child’s favorite part of the school day is lunch or recess. But at Sprunica Elementary School, you’re likely to hear that students’ favorite part of their day is science class.

If you ask Principal Shane Killinger, that’s because of science teacher Amy Gordon.

“She can get children to do anything. She is just an extreme motivator,” Killinger said.

“We have kids that struggle with writing and they don’t like to write, but they write in science class for her.”

Gordon teaches every student in the building. She is the first to arrive to school and is one of the last to leave at the end of each school day. “I’ve never beat her to school,” Killinger said.

Gordon’s work ethic and dedication to her students was recognized at the end of the school year when she was named teacher of the year for entire district. Each building selects a teacher of the year and then the district’s administrative team votes on the teacher of the year for Brown County Schools.

When Killinger went to that meeting, he was expecting to lobby for Gordon as the district’s teacher of the year. But that wasn’t even necessary.

“The other principals were just talking about how amazing she was and everything she had done,” he said.

“It was a surprise that everybody in the district knew about her and her accomplishments, because Sprunica is out there in its own little world. Hearing them talk, it was not a surprise she was voted district teacher of the year.”

One of her accomplishments that did not go unnoticed by other administrators was the STEM (science, engineering, technology and math) Fellowship she received in 2018. She was one of only 17 educators chosen from across this region. The yearlong program creates a network of elementary teachers working to purposefully integrate STEM within their schools.

Fellows are selected to advance STEM activities in regional elementary schools. They receive training focused on experiential learning, engineering design process, project-based learning, coding and other relevant topics.

Gordon also coached Sprunica’s state champion Science Bowl team. In February, the team of fourth-graders won the “yellow class” in the Indiana State Science Bowl, which was conduced online in late January. This was Sprunica’s first science bowl championship win; the last two years, Sprunica placed seventh in the state.

Prior to teaching science, Gordon worked as a special education teacher and general education teacher. She has taught kindergarten through sixth grade. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Ball State University and her special education license from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

“I absolutely love teaching at any grade level. Each grade has its own special identity with characteristics that make it fun for learning,” Gordon said.

“I decided to become a teacher because of the joy of seeing children learn and the connections that can be made.”

Teaching also runs in her family. Her mother became a teacher as a second career and taught for 15 years.

“I have learned so much from her. There are several teachers in my family, so it can be a smorgasbord of stories, ideas and laughter when we get together,” she said.

Her favorite part of her job is facilitating learning. “Allowing students to discover and make connections in their own learning in a structured environment is vital in a child’s journey,” she said.

Her least favorite part of teaching? Paperwork.

“My joy is ‘getting in’ with the kiddos as we are discovering science concepts. It is so much fun,” she said.

“When asked what piece of advice I’d give to a new teacher, I would have to say, give yourself the opportunity to learn. Education is a journey, not just a chapter in a book. Take your time to enjoy each moment.”

Elementary school science teachers use the Project Lead the Way Launch and Mystery Science curriculum, which is something Gordon thinks the district is fortunate to have. “(The curriculum) allows me to have hands-on problem solving learning going on in the lab at Sprunica,” she said.

Gordon said it takes the whole school building for a child to be successful.

“The collaboration and camaraderie at Sprunica Elementary is key to our students being successful,” she said. “Our staff is a family where everyone puts forth 110 percent for our students to reach their personal best. I am so blessed to be a part of such an outstanding group of dedicated people.”

She credits the strong family unit at Sprunica to Killinger. “His support is so appreciated. He truly is a hands-on principal,” she said, noting that he visits classrooms, the science lab, lunch room and recess often.

Killinger also supported Gordon as a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) teacher.

As far as what keeps her teaching after three decades, Gordon credits her Sprunica family at school and her faith. “God is my source and it is His ability in me that keeps me going each day,” she said.

When she is not teaching in the science lab, Gordon is the children’s church director at Franklin First Assembly of God. She is teaching wherever she goes.

“Being able to be a part of a team of dedicated believers pouring into our kiddos is such a privilege,” she said. “The Holy Spirit guides each step of the way. I guess I am always teaching wherever I go from school, to church and other ministries. Teaching is truly my passion.”

She also enjoys cooking, reading and swimming.

Her husband of 30 years, daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren also support her teaching career.

“My family has spent countless hours of running to get needed supplies, setting up classrooms and making my ideas come to fruition. I am so grateful for each one of them,” she said.

Killinger was principal when Gordon was first hired 20 years ago. He said hiring her was a “no-brainer.”

“You can just tell when you interview someone if they’re going to be amazing or not, and she was,” he said.

When a teacher is named a district’s teacher of the year, they are then eligible to apply to be named the state’s teacher of the year. Killinger can see Gordon making it all the way to the top.

One of her biggest strengths, besides her work ethic, is her relationship with her students, Killinger said.

“She’s always willing to help out. She’s always giving of her time and her knowledge,” he said.

Gordon said she was overwhelmed when her peers voted for her as teacher of the year for Sprunica and was “totally shocked” when she was named teacher of the year for the entire district. She does not intend to keep the praise to herself.

“This award is not my own,” she said, “but needs to be shared with those who have poured into me, collaborated with me and assisted me in my educational career.”

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At the end of each school year, teachers vote for teachers of the year at grade group levels, then one of them is chosen by Brown County Schools’ administrative team as the district’s teacher of the year. This year’s winners were:

Elementary (Van Buren, Sprunica and Helmsburg buildings): Sprunica science teacher Amy Gordon (also chosen as district Teacher of the Year)

Brown County Intermediate School: Science teacher Chris Miller

Brown County Junior High School: Math teacher Kaitlyn Christie

Brown County High School: (tie) Theater teacher Laurie Godfrey and English teacher Rebekah Bryan

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