great news for three teachers and one principal from Indiana

• Dr. Rex Bolinger is from Angola, Indiana, and is a 26-year educator and principal since 1987 at Angola High School in the Metropolitan School District of Steuben County.  He is mentioned by colleagues as among "an elite group of educators on a national level." He is a former state Principal of the Year and serves on the Indiana Professional Standards Board that licenses educators. One colleague said: "If I had a chance to pick the best, it would be Rex." Angola High School is known for its successful implementation of the "4-by-4 Block Schedule" and for its "School-To-Work Partnerships."
• Bonnie Fancher is from Rising Sun, and is a 19-year teacher of environmental science, physics, and chemistry at Switzerland County High School in the Switzerland County School Corporation, Vevay.   colleagues say that because of her efforts, data about Vevay weather and status of the Ohio River are online for researchers at the National Weather Center, and science articles written by Vevay students appear in the national Scholastic Magazine. Her students include one with a perfect score on the national Advanced Placement Environmental Science Exam, two state academic science team winners, and winners in Vevay Deposit Bank essay contests.
• Michael Frazier is from Crown Point, and is a 19-year teacher of library/multi-media, technology, journalism, and English at the Hanover Central Junior-Senior High School in the Hanover Community School Corporation, Cedar Lake. Frazier's colleagues say he is an "early adopter" of new ideas who also is dedicated to working with kids and to teaching the skills involved with journalism and computer technology. As a teacher, colleagues say he is a "guide on the side ... he communicates, he motivates, he inspires." Described as the "architect" of the Hanover Central staff development program, he also coaches his peers in half-hour technology sessions most mornings before classes start.
• Bobbie Jean Owensby is from Marion, Indiana and is a 26-year teacher of social studies, citizenship, African studies, and ethnic studies at Marion High School in the Marion Community Schools. Mrs. Owensby, whose travels with students include a trip to Egypt to explore the River Nile as well as an annual Spring Break College Tour, is known for donating her personal time and resources outside the classroom. She is described by Marion Superintendent Charles E. Coleman as "a gentle giant and a superintendent's dream .... she is one of Marion's greatest assets." He praises her passion for students, her influence, and her impact on students, colleagues, and the community. Teachers call her their mentor, one who welcomed and supported them as they began teaching.