EXCELLENCE
Recognizing Excellence in Teaching Through Dedication, Compassion & Knowledge
EighthGrade LanguageArts,
HobartMiddle School,Hobart
JOYCE GROEN,
LAKE COUNTY
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
Despite 20 years teaching in the classroom, Jane Clemmons says that no year is like the one before it. “Each class has its own personality. I love working with my students and making connections with them.”
The variety of topics covered in her classroom keeps the curriculum from growing stale, including one of Clemmons’s favorite topics: Novels. “Students who do not like to read usually have a different perspective about books once we get done with a novel. Some students become upset when we must stop where we are at in the book because class is over. They really get into the details and what is happening to the
characters. If I can hook them, the students are all in.” Clemmons previously taught high school English and special education. She is married with two children.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
“One of my favorite memories is when I taught ‘The Outsiders’ with my
eighth-grade team,” Clemmons says. “All of our eight graders read the novel. Once we were done, two teachers and their students acted like they were the ‘Greasers.’ Two other teachers and their students acted like they were the ‘Socs.’ We dressed up and played games with the students. The Socs had it easier than the Greasers did in the games. We then had a conversation with the students about the similarities and differences they saw during the activity. We also talked about the theme of the novel. Students learned that it is important to treat everyone with respect and to never ‘judge a book by its cover.’ This is something that is still talked about today.”
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
Joyce Groen has a passion for history and for ensuring that the next generation of leaders understands how it affects them and the world they live in. “I love watching kids learn,” she says. “I love discussions and conversations with my students that show they have connected with something they have learned in my class. I especially work hard in teaching how our government works and urge students to vote and work in their communities. I was honored to be part of Hoosier Leadership in 2019, which enabled me to connect with elected officials and have all of my students be able to ask questions and engage with our government. I also look forward to taking my eighth graders to Philadelphia to see where our government took shape.” Groen studied the Holocaust in detail and obtained her master’s degree in history in 2006. She has taught at Highland Christian for 21 years. She has been married for 40 years and has
three children and six grandchildren.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
“I’m an eighth-grade sponsor, and I teach grades six through eight.
I especially love working with eighth graders at school during community events, and I love seeing them graduate. I’m proud
of all the work they have done since I have taught them for three years. I get to see them grow and learn. By the time they leave my school, they are ready for high school. I really enjoy the days when they come back to see me and let me know just how well Highland Christian teachers have prepared them. And, of course, there is always the first week back at the beginning of the school year. I am always excited to begin again.”
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
Mellissa Miles’s path to teaching began with teaching Sunday
school and leading her children’s Scout packs before she received her teaching degree from Purdue University Calumet
in 2014. “I love building relationships with my students,” she says. She acknowledges that the pandemic presented unique challenges to relationship building with her students. “It was
a hard year to build those relationships being in and out of the classroom. I want to see those light bulb moments when they finally figure out a concept, but I also want to see when they finally figure out how to be a good friend or how to tie
their shoes. I love being their coach, but I also want to be their cheerleader.” Miles has taught at Aylesworth since 2014. She has been married for 27 years, has three children, and a
grandson who attends Aylesworth.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
“One of my favorite things is when you run into your students out in the ‘real world’,” Miles shares. “It’s always
funny when I run into one of my students and they say something like, ‘Mrs. Miles, you shop at Meijer too?’ They are always so shy and often believe teachers never leave the
building. But then I see former students, and they always want a high-five or a hug, and they tell me how good they are doing or that they miss me. Even the ornery ones remember
the relationship that was built alongside the academics.”
WHY TEACHING IS MORE THAN A DAY JOB:
“A career in education is a rich one,” Goeringer says. “Creating relationships with so many kids over so many years and watching them become successful young adults is wonderful. Their success
is the best part. I’ve always loved creating positive, fun and meaningful experiences for students and staff. I love having the opportunity to create that for the entire school as principal. Not to mention that I have the privilege to work alongside incredible teaching and support staff in a strong community. I feel honored to be part of it all.” An Indiana University graduate, Goeringer
previously taught math at Taft Middle School, was assistant principal and athletic director at Westville Middle/High School and was coach for a variety of sports, including head coach for tbe girls varsity basketball team. He lives in Crown Point with his wife and
their two sons.
FAVORITE PART OF TEACHING:
“There are so many great students, staff and community members with so many great memories attached to all of them,” Goeringer
says. “It’s overwhelming to think of it all and try to pick just one favorite memory. Honestly, my best moments are the lasting relationships with students, athletes, staff and families. I still hear from many of them, and some have become a part of my life. I
would never be where I am today without all of them.”