Tippecanoe Valley High School special education teacher Cami Shriver was recognized as the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp.’s Teacher of the Year at the TVSC Board’s regular meeting on Monday, April 17, at Mentone Elementary School. She was chosen over nominees from the corporation’s three other main schools. From left: TVHS Assistant Principal Dayna Kolanowski and Principal Brandon Kresca, Shriver and TVSC Board President David Lash.

Text and Photos
By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

MENTONE — Tippecanoe Valley High School special education teacher Cami Shriver was recognized Monday, April 17, for her “tremendous impact on (TVHS), on (its) students and (its) staff.”

TVHS Principal Brandon Kresca made that comment about Shriver in a video clip honoring her as the school’s teacher of the year at the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. Board’s regular meeting. However Shriver also was selected over three other Valley educators as the Tippecanoe Valley School Corp. Teacher of the Year.

Each year TVSC honors four educators from each of its main schools. The TVSC Teacher of the Year from among them goes on to compete for the state teacher title.

The other three teachers recognized this year were Akron Elementary School reading interventionist Hayley Whitaker, Mentone Elementary School special education teacher Kamry Sands and Tippecanoe Valley Middle School special education teacher Keaton Bell. A panel including last year’s teachers of the year, TVSC Board President David Lash and TVSC Director of Marketing, Public Relations and Grants Lori Tilden-Geiger helped with the teacher of the year process.

All four teachers were recognized in a video, with Kresca and TVHS Assistant Principal Dayna Kolanowski mentioning what makes Shriver special.

“Everyone looks up to her and admires Mrs. Shriver,” said Kresca. “She embodies the belief that even the most reluctant and struggling learners can achieve greatness. Mrs. Shriver has a tremendous influence on education at Valley through her co-teaching, through all the different ways that she’s involved in bettering her school. She also is a champion for the inclusion revolution at Tippecanoe Valley High School.”

Kolanowski talked about Shriver’s “immense dedication to all students.”

“(She) prides herself on making a connection with them,” said Kolanowski. “She finds value in all students at Tippecanoe Valley High School.”

Shriver, front, posed for a photo with some of her colleagues. In the back, from left: Chris Secrist, McKinley Adams, Deb Johnston, Kris Walker, Aaron Engbrecht and Mike Jones.

The TVSC Teacher of the Year nominee from Tippecanoe Valley Middle School was special education teacher Keaton Bell. From left: TVMS Principal Scott Backus, Bell and Lash.

The TVSC Teacher of the Year nominee from Akron Elementary School was reading interventionist Hayley Whitaker. From left: Akron Principal Scott Sterk, Whitaker and Lash.

The TVSC Teacher of the Year nominee from Mentone Elementary School was special education teacher Kamry Sands. From left: Mentone Principal Randy Dahms, Sands and Lash.