Indianapolis, In. — Two Vevay residents, Adam Joseph Dennis and Kathleen Daugherty have been named “2017 Educators of the Year” by the American Legion Department of Indiana in the 9th District.
“American Legion officers selected Dennis and Kathleen because of continued work to educate the future of our state,” said 9th District Cmdr. Roger Hilligoss.
Dennis earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 2005 from Manchester College. Shortly after, he was fortunate enough to get a job teaching in his hometown. He took a position as a Math teacher at Switzerland County Middle School.
In 2008, Dennis made the switch to Switzerland High School where he is still teaching math.
Dennis said, “my service in the classroom is extremely important to me. Building relationships with my students and sparking their interest in the subject is a goal I strive for everyday”.
Dennis also dedicates time to some extracurricular actives at his school. He has coached varsity boys’ basketball; varsity girl’s track and varsity boys and girls cross country.
Dennis credits a lot of his success to the team he works with at Switzerland High School. He said, “I work with a wonderful group of people that challenge me on a daily basis to give my best and motivate my students to give their best as well”.
Kathleen Daugherty has been teaching elementary school children in Switzerland County for 33 years. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University Southeast in 1986, she started her teaching career at Switzerland County Elementary as a Second Grade Teacher.
In 1988, she started at Jefferson Craig Elementary School as a fourth-grade teacher and that is where she has taught ever since.
Daugherty also became a leader in extracurricular activities for the school. She has coached both girls’ basketball and girls’ volleyball at Jefferson Craig Elementary.
She has also volunteered for multiple school leadership activities and organization such as: Science Fair Coordinator, Nursing Home School Program Coordinator, Hurricane Andrew Fundraiser Coordinator and she has been a member of the Switzerland County Classroom Teachers Association since 1986.
No matter what subject she is teaching, Daugherty tries to make learning fun and meaningful. She says’ “When learning is fun, it is remembered and those memories last a lifetime”.
The American Legion, Department of Indiana honors local heroes in the fields of military service, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical services, and educators every year in communities across Indiana. Learn more at www.indianalegion.org.
