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Teaming Up with Teachers
Each year, the Centra Foundation teams up with teachers in our local communities to show our support for the quality education they provide for our youth! Teachers across our footprint have the chance to win a shopping spree for their classroom.
10 YEARS OF TEACHER APPRECIATION
Teaming Up with Teachers celebrates the educators who make a lasting difference in our Communities by recognizing their impact and dedication. For 2026, we’re awarding three $1,000 10-Year Legacy Awards and six $500 Impact Awards to honor outstanding teachers and say thank you for all they do!
Amy Weaver – Bradie Shrum Elementary, Kindergarten – $1,000
I have a class of 20 kindergarten students who love to learn. These funds would help me buy much-needed supplies, STEM toys, and educational games to further their learning.
Bridget Burnett – Hope Elementary, 5th & 6th Grade Special Education – $1,000
I teach special education for 5th and 6th grade students. My students need specialized tools and materials to be successful. With the funds, I can purchase items that support my students with learning disabilities, sensory equipment for my students with autism and sensory needs, and learning games to help students meet their academic and social goals through play.
Megan Ewers – Harney Elementary, 4th Grade – $1,000
This will be my first full year of teaching. I want to provide my students with the best possible learning environment. If I received this funding, I would use it to purchase much-needed classroom supplies, add engaging educational resources and hands-on learning games, and provide other materials that help make learning fun, meaningful, and accessible for every student. Every contribution would go directly back into my classroom to support my students and create enriching learning experiences throughout the school year.
Angie Ginder – Rockcreek Elementary School, 6th Grade – $500
I’ve been teaching at the best school in Bartholomew County for more than 25 years. Our school is like a family, and my classroom is no different. My goal is to treat my students like a class family and engage and inspire them to be the best version of themselves they can be. These extra funds would allow me to purchase materials and activities for them to make the most of the 180 days we get to spend together. My goal this year is to incorporate more hands-on activities and less screen time. The extra funds would allow me to help meet my goal.
Cyndi Molitor – Parkside Elementary, Kindergarten-6th Life Skills Special Education – $500
I teach Kindergarten through 6th Grade Life Skills Special Education, which is a classroom that serves students with mild to moderate disabilities who have a wide range of academic, communication, sensory, social-emotional, and adaptive learning needs. Many of our students benefit from structured sensory supports throughout the school day to help them regulate emotions, maintain attention, transition between activities, and participate successfully in classroom instruction. Funding for sensory supports would have a meaningful impact on our students by allowing us to purchase materials that promote self-regulation, focus, and engagement. Items such as weighted lap pads, wobble cushions, sensory seating, noise-reducing headphones, fidget tools, tactile manipulatives, visual timers, calming lights, and materials for a sensory corner would provide students with appropriate strategies to meet their individual sensory needs. These resources would help reduce anxiety and sensory overload while increasing students’ ability to remain engaged in learning, communicate effectively, and build independence. Sensory supports also encourage positive behaviors by giving students appropriate ways to regulate their bodies and emotions, resulting in fewer disruptions and more instructional time. Because our classroom serves students across multiple grade levels, these materials would benefit a diverse group of learners for years to come. Investing in sensory supports creates a more inclusive, supportive learning environment where every student has the opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.
Emily Surenkamp – Jackson Elementary School, Kindergarten – $500
As I enter into my fourth year teaching kindergarten, I would love the opportunity to add more flexible seating in my classroom. More and more children need the opportunity to fidget and bounce in order to stay attentive at this level. However, wobble stools, ball chairs, and floor cushions are very expensive and not provided. Therefore, these funds would help me make my classroom more inclusive, engaging, and inviting for setting up all of my students for success. Thank you for the opportunity!
Michelle Denbo – Northaven Elementary, Preschool – $500
We have a very fun, crazy, and loving classroom. We usually have 20 students starting at age 4. We are a funded program, so we don’t require supplies, but we will ask for donations, or it comes out of our pockets. With the economy, it’s hard for some parents to donate or even supply supplies. We understand that, but we make sure even if it is our own money, they have everything they need all year. This would start our year off full of learning materials and craft supplies, along with hopefully new cots.
Nichole Cox – Anderson Elementary, Kindergarten – $500
In my classroom, I focus on connection and safety more than anything and before academics. If a student doesn’t feel safe or has a connection with the adult in the classroom, it is going to make it more difficult to teach them or help them learn. I have been saving to purchase a class set of baby dolls to use for a curriculum called “Baby Doll Circle Time” through Conscious Discipline. This program helps young students create a connection and learn the needs to help someone feel safe. Although they will be using a baby doll, I will consistently go through this routine in hopes that it pours over into their everyday life. This will help them build relationships and connections with peers, learn to show empathy and sympathy, and figure out the tools they need to be a successful classmate and friend. The students will practice calming the upset baby, make its “hurts” all better, rock it, sing to it, and keep it in a safe place each day. The baby dolls will ONLY be used for this program; they will not be utilized and available during free choice play. This helps to ensure their importance and them and their purpose.
Paige Wright – Children’s Morning Out Preschool, 2s and 3s – $500
I teach the yellow room at CMO, which is our 2- and 3-year-old class. This is such an important and pivotal age, and our classroom can be very busy. I would love to add more social-emotional toys and resources to help the yellow room kids learn about and work through their big feelings and emotions. I would also love to add more process art supplies and music supplies to help them learn with all of their senses. Play is the most important way for kids to learn, and I plan to make my classroom full of fun play-based activities to teach them about themselves and the world.
2025 Winners
Anne Freeman — Northside Middle School, 7th and 8th grades
My classroom is designed to develop practical, real-world skills that students can apply in their everyday lives. As a Family and Consumer Science educator, I emphasize informed decision-making and responsible consumer behavior. I integrate a farm-to-table approach, offering students hands-on opportunities to prepare meals using whole, organic ingredients. Creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment at the start of the school year is a top priority, as it helps establish strong relationships with students. Visually appealing, organized bulletin boards featuring positive and encouraging messages contribute to a space where students feel valued, supported, and motivated. This year, I am also committed to supporting students’ mental health. With Northside Middle School undergoing an extensive renovation, I recognize that students may experience heightened anxiety. To address this, I plan to create a calming space within my classroom where students can decompress and manage stress in a healthy way. The supplies I have selected will play a crucial role in reinforcing a positive, supportive environment and will be deeply appreciated by both myself and my students.
Sarah Jamerson — Children’s Morning Out Preschool, Pre-K
This is my second year leading our Pre-K room. I’ve got some big ideas for taking last year’s curriculum and enhancing it to be the best it can be. $250 would allow me to purchase items to help make these ideas a reality for the 26 kiddos I’ll be getting ready for kindergarten this year!
Shannon Wright — Scottsburg Middle School, 6th grade
A blessing of $250 would be amazing toward my goal of introducing a robotics computer programming project into my Science classroom! I’m trying to get students, especially my female students, more interested in coding and programming. I’m hoping to get small robots that my students can program to do various tasks. Thank you for your generosity, Centra!
Lindsey Gosman — Columbus Christian School in North Vernon, 2nd grade
Hello, this will be my third year teaching second grade at Columbus Christian School. Second grade is such a fun age where students can really shine. They are becoming more and more independent and full of creative and confidence to do amazing things. I love second grade! I would love to incorporate some flexible seating in my classroom and some more hands-on learning aids and manipulatives to keep our learning fun and engaging.
Ethan Crisp — Northside Middle School, 7th grade
As our school begins a massive renovation, I am looking to build up a library of authentic resources for my Spanish class, including books, culture facts, and audio resources.
Anne Poore — Jennings County High School, 9-12 grades
✨ “Kindness first, growth always.” ✨ In our classroom, kindness isn’t just a word—it’s our way of life. 💛 We lead with compassion, meet each student where they are, and celebrate every step forward, no matter how big or small. Here, we believe that progress matters more than perfection and that every student can succeed with the right support, tools, and encouragement. 🙌
💫 We create a safe space where students feel seen, heard, and valued.
💫 We lift each other up, offer second chances, and cheer loud for quiet victories.
💫 We support learning differences with patience and purpose—using sensory tools, visual aids, calm-down spaces, and hands-on materials to help our students thrive.
This classroom is built on empathy, respect, and a whole lot of heart. ❤️ A donation of $250 can help provide sensory tools, flexible seating, and calming materials that make a big difference for our students’ learning and comfort. Your support directly creates a welcoming and supportive space where every student can thrive.
Casey Ernstes — Scipio Elementary School, 3rd grade
$250 would help me a lot in my classroom! I would use it to buy flexible seating because most of what I have now is old and worn out. I’d love to update it so my students can feel comfortable and excited to learn every day.
Katie Whitesel — Hope Elementary, 4th grade
I teach 4th grade at Hope Elementary and it’s been my dream job! I love creating a classroom family every year and getting to know and love the kids I have the privilege to teach. I work hard every year to ensure my classroom is a safe space for my students, a home away from home. I would use the extra funds to purchase basic supplies for my classroom and if I have extra, I will put it towards flexible seating for my students to work around the classroom and classroom rewards.
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