Each year, the Indiana Teacher of the Year Program works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. Local schools are encouraged to follow the selection process and local Teacher(s) of the Year are encouraged to complete the state application process. The Indiana Teacher of the Year Screening and Selection Committees review all eligible applications and are made up of former INTOY recipients, Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) staff, educational organization leaders, business and community leaders, and representatives from higher education. Indiana’s Teacher of the Year is selected to represent Indiana Teachers through the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) program. The INTOY award is a lifetime role in education, which has many opportunities to celebrate teaching and uplift the teaching profession. INTOYs are comprised of a network of exceptional teachers whom are now retired educators, administrators, college professors, and teacher leaders that continually provide support to the education community.
IDOE is honored to support the Indiana Teacher of the Year program by working with the school district where the INTOY is employed to provide release time and coverage for several national events, as well as several statewide opportunities. However, the Indiana Teacher of the Year does maintain their role as a full-time teacher during their year of service. To honor the balance of professional and personal time spent preparing for and traveling to speaking engagements, we ask that all speaking engagement requests be submitted here with as much notice as possible.
2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year: Graciela Miranda
On Friday, September 27, Graciela Miranda, a teacher at Pike High School in Indianapolis, was named the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year! Miranda currently teaches ninth through 12th grade English learners at Metropolitan School District (MSD) of Pike Township, where she works to incorporate parent and community connections within her classroom to maximize student success. Now in her 23rd year of teaching, Miranda is committed to her own continued learning and development and leads professional development sessions for new and veteran teachers. In addition to her work at Pike High School, Miranda also spends her summers supporting students through the local Boys and Girls Club, specifically, providing reading and math tutoring through the Indy Summer Learning Labs. As Teacher of the Year, Graciela will work to help elevate the teaching profession in Indiana, as well as represent Hoosier teachers at the national level. Read more about her achievement here.
Welcome to the Indiana Teacher of the Year Program!
2025 Application Materials*
*Applications for the 2025 Indiana Teacher of the Year have closed. Stay tuned for 2026 applications!
Previous Indiana Teachers of the Year
- 2024 Teacher of the Year: Eric Jenkins
- 2023 Teacher of the Year: Tara Cocanower
- 2022 Teacher of the Year: Sharita Ware
- 2020 Teacher of the Year: Katheryn Pourcho
- 2019 Teacher of the Year: Tamara Markey
- 2018 Teacher of the Year: Jerome Flewelling
- 2017 Teacher of the Year: Jitka Nelson
- 2016 Teacher of the Year: Jean Russell
- Past Indiana Teachers of the Year
- Past Indiana History Teacher of the Year
- Past Indiana Teacher of the Year Program Finalists (1997-present)
Contact INTOY@doe.in.gov with any questions.
Indiana Teacher of the Year Sponsors
