Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District was honored Friday, Sept. 8, with an Excellence in Leading and Learning Award at the Indiana Department of Education’s Educational Awards Gala in Indianapolis.
This award recognizes a school corporation that provides support for educators through instructional resources, professional development opportunities and other best practices. As part of the award, BHMSD will receive $250,000 to use for supporting students and faculty.
“Throughout Indiana there are many amazing school corporations filled with hard working educators and students, and BHMSD is blessed to be recognized by the Indiana Department of Education for our efforts to best serve our students and community,” BHMSD Superintendent Dr. Brad Yates said. “We are fortunate to learn from and work with other school corporations in order to create an ideal learning environment for our schools resulting in a district culture that encourages leadership growth and educator success.”
After being nominated for the award by Mrs. Brittany Kloer, Director of Area 18 Career and Technical Education, part of the application process included detailing how BHMSD provides faculty and staff with ongoing professional development and support.
At BHMSD, this not only includes designated days throughout the school year but also weekly professional development and collaboration time in each building before the school day starts. Additionally, each first- and second-year educator is assigned a mentor and is given opportunities throughout the year to connect with their cohort.
“As an educator who has been in the district for 38 years, I am excited for each and every teacher, counselor, administrator, and staff member at BHMSD,” Assistant Superintendent Julie Meitzler said. “This recognition is a nod to all of the work done each and every day. I have been able to see firsthand the work of our people in all three buildings and we have great people doing great things for kids. I could not be more excited or more proud to serve alongside the faculty and staff at BHMSD.”
BHMSD provides ample opportunities for leadership growth within the district. As of the 2023-2024 school year, BHMSD has administrators in every building who first started teaching at one of our schools before being appointed to administration.
Another highlight of the application is BHMSD’s teacher retention. At the end of the 2022-2023 school year, 60 of BHMSD’s 145 certified staff had at least 10 years of service at BHMSD, 23 have at least 20 years of service at BHMSD, and six have more than 30 years of service at BHMSD (including five with more than 35 years).
“At BHMSD, we encourage our students to work hard and do their best, to take personal responsibility and to expect excellence in themselves,” the BHMSD application reads in part. “We know these high standards must start with our teachers and administration, which is why we continually fine tune the systems we have in place that cultivate a culture of leadership and lifelong learning at all levels at BHMSD.”
