An Indianapolis Schools Center for Inquiry teacher, Maysee Herr, was among twelve young leaders from throughout Indiana to be awarded the Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders. The honor of the Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders is not the only thing the recipient receives; they also get $1,000 to be used as an educational scholarship or as a donation to the charity of their choice. This year's recipients have chosen to donate their monetary awards to community organizations and to public scholarship funds. A special luncheon was held on June 8th at which Lt. Governor Becky Skillman presented recipients with their awards.

The Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders was introduced in 2003 in a joint effort by the Indiana Humanities Council and the Office of the Governor. These awards are designed to recognize outstanding young Indiana leaders between the ages of 19 and 29 for their achievements in entrepreneurial, community, education, and cultural arenas and for their commitment to Indiana. This is not the first Indianapolis Schools teacher to receive this prestigious award. The Governor's Award for Tomorrow's Leaders serves to decrease Indiana's “brain drain”; identify emerging community leaders for further mentoring and engagement; raise the bar of expectation for all Indiana citizens–counteracting the notion that “good enough is good enough” by recognizing excellence and the personal achievement. The recipients are selected by an independent jury consisting of leaders in business, education, and culture.

Indianapolis Schools Center for Inquiry

The Center for Inquiry is part of a non-profit organization that promotes and defends reason, science and inquiry. The Center is also interested in providing rational ethical alternatives to the reigning paranormal and religious systems of belief, and in developing communities where like-minded individuals can meet and share experiences.

Indianapolis Schools Teacher Wins Indiana Teacher of the Year

Mrs. Constantine of Thomas D. Gregg School 15 in the Indianapolis Schools has received the Indiana Teacher of the Year award for her service and dedication to the students in her classes. She has worked at Thomas D. Gregg School 15 since 1986. This kindergarten teacher was nominated by the parents, peers and students of Thomas D. Gregg School 15. Mrs. Constantine serves on numerous school-based committees and is very active in the community partaking in events to support the Indianapolis Children's Guardian Home, judging the annual Halloween costume contest, and coordinating the Irvington Little League baseball teams. Her activities in the Indianapolis Schools have included: bringing acclaimed educator to the school to help her peers learn brain-based learning strategies, serving as a mentor teacher to college students, and by assisting colleagues to hone their craft. Mrs. Constantine will be the Indianapolis Schools representative in the Indiana Teacher of the Year statewide contest.

The Indiana Teacher of the Year is a program that is conducted by the Indiana Department of Education to recognize outstanding classroom teachers from across the state. One of the recipients will go on to represent the state of Indiana in the National Teacher of the Year.