The last days of the school year are a time of feverish intensity with a flurry of special events like field trips, awards ceremonies, proms and other warm weather activities. It is a time of excitement and celebration for both students and staff.
It is on the day after the students depart that teachers take a breath and spend a day cleaning, moving and transitioning into summer while preparing for the changes and challenges coming in the next school year that will start in August, just a few weeks away.
For teachers in Brown County Schools, it’s also a day of district celebration and reflection with a breakfast and recognition ceremony held at Brown County High School Auditorium for all teachers and staff.
Each year, Superintendent Emily Tracy invites staff to write nominations to recognize the exceptional achievements of teachers and staff in each building. From these nominations, Tracy and a committee select one teacher and one staff member from each building who exemplify an exceptional level of dedication and care for students and co-workers. The committee also recognizes a District-wide Teacher and Staff Member of the Year.
The nominations and comments by fellow staff are read and the awards given by last year’s award winners. All awards are designed and manufactured by the district’s student-run businesses, Eagle and Eaglet Manufacturing.
The top teachers and staff for 2024 are:
Teachers of the Year:
Helmsburg Elementary School — Brenda Ely, 3rd Grade
Sprunica Elementary School — Brittany Dunkley, Kindergarten
Van Buren Elementary School — Emily Gaither, Special Education
Brown County Middle School — Brittney Ketring, Art
Brown County High School — Matthew Huffman, Special Education
Brown County Schools District Teacher of the Year — Abigail Magnar, Science, Sprunica Elementary School
Staff Members of the Year:
Helmsburg Elementary School — Julie Adams, Paraprofessional
Sprunica Elementary School — Candace Shugars, Paraprofessional
Van Buren Elementary School — Andri Kalchrik, Health Assistant
Brown County Middle School — Sharon Snodgrass, Paraprofessional
Brown County High School — Ronna Snyder, Secretary
Brown County Schools District Staff Member of the Year — Megan Connelly, Work-Based Learning Coordinator
Tracy also recognized the long-time contributions of three teachers and two staff members who are retiring at the end of this school year.
One retiree, Sheila Popplewell, was honored by Christy Wrightsman, Director of the Career Resource Center, who read comments about Popplewell’s impact on students throughout her career. Popplewell sat in a special seat reserved for retirees, a large, wooden, rocking chair set on stage representing a slower time in life that retirees hope to experience after a career in teaching.
This year’s retirees are:
Sheila Popplewell – Adult Educator at the Career Resource Center – 26 years of service
Cheryl Fox – Brown County High School Math Teacher – 24 years of service
Mary Kurdziel – Sprunica Elementary School Teacher – 24 years of service
Candice Henderson – Brown County High School Custodian – 10 years of service
Kelly McPheeters – Brown County Middle School Paraprofessional – 8 years of service
The final recognition of the year went to Brown County High School Principal, Trent Austin, who is finishing his career with Brown County Schools on June 30. Austin has been tapped to be the principal of Beech Grove High School.
