INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS) has named John “Jack” Hesser as the 2021 Teacher of the Year. Hesser is a science teacher at Harshman Middle School where he’s worked for the last four years.
From dissecting animals and building mousetrap vehicles to chemical scavenger hunts and building rockets to launch, Hesser’s class is a favorite destination for his students. His popularity extends throughout the building. When teachers needed help with corrective instruction, he created surveys for students to self-report their learning gaps. When teachers and students were frustrated with the bell schedule, he facilitated feedback sessions and created a new one. When the teacher who led the daily announcements left, he stepped up and transformed them into “must-see” TV the students and teachers looked forward to each morning.
In May, Hesser was named 2019’s Outstanding Earth Science Teacher of the Year for Indiana by the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT). The award is given to Grade K-12 educators who provide “exceptional contributions to the stimulation of interest in the Earth Sciences at the pre-college level.”
Hesser graduated from Ball State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. He earned his master’s in teaching from Marian University.
Harshman Middle School is located at 1501 E. 10th St. and serves students in grades 7 through 8.
The other teachers who made the Top 3 TOY finalist list include:
• William Strother III — Center for Inquiry School 70. William Strother teaches language and literature to students in Grades 6-8 at Center for Inquiry School 70. He’s taught in IPS for four years, and at CFI 70 for one year.
• Rachael Mitchell — Newcomer Program. Rachael Mitchell is an elementary English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher at the Newcomer Program, teaching English to students in Grades 3-6 who are part of IPS’ immigrant and refugee community while also serving in various school and leadership roles.
