Tamara Markey, a 2014 WW Indiana Teaching Fellow, was recently named Indiana’s Teacher of the Year. The Lawrence Township Schools (Indianapolis) engineering teacher is in her fourth year of teaching. She was chosen first as the top teacher in her school, then her district, and then the state.

Ms. Markey told the Indianapolis Star that she was “a bit speechless” during a surprise celebration at the school. According to the Star, her students describe her as nice, understanding, and passionate.

“You have what I believe to be the top teacher in the state, by far,” said Shawn Smith, superintendent of Lawrence Township Schools, to the crowd gathered for the occasion.

In an interview with Chalkbeat, Ms. Markey, a career engineer, credited her Woodrow Wilson Indiana Teaching Fellowship for the opportunity to pursue her dream of teaching.

“I love the energy of school,” she said of her reasons to become a teacher. “The excitement to share experiences and learn alongside with my students. The ability to impact a young person’s life. The privilege to watch students grow in so many ways.”

Outside of the classroom, Ms. Markey works to try and get more girls involved in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Last year she started middle school technology programs for local girls.

As the 2019 Teacher of the Year, Ms. Markey will represent Indiana in the National Teacher of the Year Competition.

---