Announcing: Edmentum’s Inspiring Educators Class of 2021

This spring, we held our inaugural 2021 Inspiring Educator Awards! This included a nationwide search for the best and brightest Edmentum educators who created innovative and inspiring implementations for their students. We asked our educators about their goals and challenges, qualitative and quantitative successes, and the reasons they choose to educate. Their responses illustrate how educators and Edmentum work together to create successful outcomes everywhere learning occurs.

From the impressive number of submissions received, we are proud to honor a class of 21 Inspiring Educators for 2021. After announcing our selections, we opened voting nationwide to choose our 21 Inspiring Educators for 2021.

Thank you to all who made your voices heard. The results are in, and we are delighted to award top honors to two special individuals!

Teacher of the Year: Lindsay Wilhoyte, Vigo County School Corporation, Terre Haute, Indiana

“Vigo Virtual Success Academy experienced an enrollment increase of 500-percent from the 2019-20 school year to the 2020-21 school year. Using EdOptions Academy, Calvert, and Courseware allowed us to provide quality education to students of all grade and academic levels. The endless communication between EdOptions teachers and our students and staff has been a proven factor in student success.”

Lindsay’s Why: “It has been and will always be my students. I have always prided myself in being a positive role model for all of my students and showing them what is possible in their life. No matter circumstances in personal life or in our ever-changing world, you can determine your future.” 

Administrator of the Year:  Denise Handlon, Avon High School, Avon, Indiana

“I, with the help of a wonderful team, have grown our small credit recovery program [using Edmentum Courseware] into a large multi-faceted program reaching all ability levels. A total of 88 credits were awarded my first year with just 12 courses. Last school year, we awarded just shy of 800 credits. During first semester this school year alone, we issued 1012 credits.”  

Denise’s Why: “I teach to help students succeed. I have no greater career joy than seeing a student who was struggling be able to graduate and walk across the stage. I meet kids where they are and do my best to get them where they need to be.” See Denise’s video here.

Our two grand-prize winners, Lindsay Wilhoyte and Denise Handlon, will each receive a $500 Target gift certificate, a $500 donation to an educational charity of their choice, a featured spot on the Edmentum Podcast, and an invitation to our Educator Network Summit.

Get to know and help us celebrate all of our winners! These educators demonstrate successful student outcomes by innovating and embracing an adaptable growth mindset to meet diverse student needs. They create incredible teaching moments using engaging and creative practices and strategies to motivate learners to succeed.

We thank you, educators. You truly are inspiring. Thank you for the small moments of humanity and the big breakthroughs. Thank you for your compassion and grace helping each student experience success and growth. Thank you for sharing your wins and guiding ideals. We see you! Thank you for being an inspiration to educators everywhere. Congratulations!

Looking for more warm and fuzzy feels to celebrate educator appreciation? Check out our blog post, [Ask an Educator] The Best Moments of Teacher Appreciation Week.