LDA of Indiana Learn, Dream, & Achieve Award
This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of an Indiana high school orcollege student who has a learning disability or attention deficit disorder.
2016 Winner: Caroline Adie, Fortune Academy, Indianapolis
Congratulations, Caroline!
Caroline is the daughter of Bob and Amy Adie and is a senior at Fortune Academy. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has participated on the Fortune volleyball team for the past four years. Her membership on the Student Council has also included the leadership position of treasurer. In addition, she has been assistant director of the school's drama department.
Carolyn is currently taking a college course at Ivy Tech while continuing her studies at the Academy. She plans to attend college in the fall of 2017 at the University of Southern Indiana and plans to become a registered nurse. She is currently employed by Goodwill Industries as a cashier and works in child care as a babysitter. She is CPR and AED certified in both child and adult emergency response situations. As of October 16, she has been a licensed driver for one year!
According to Janet George, the Headmaster at the school, "Caroline has exhibited character, determination and perseverance in her life…This 18 year old, who has dyslexia and a significant anxiety disorder, participated this past year in our high school's J-Term (January Term), participating in Shark Tank, and her business was selected out of all that participated." Caroline started a business at Fortune called OCD, which stands for Organizing, Copying and other Duties as needed. The company provided a service to teachers and staff, and she had a group of students who worked under her as employees.
Her mother, Amy, said, "I am very proud of Caroline. She develops goals and sets out to achieve them. She has overcome learning challenges, but has been very successful." Her mother credits Fortune Academy for providing individualized learning that has led to Caroline’s accomplishments. “I give the teachers, staff and school leadership a lot of credit for helping Caroline and other students experience their dreams."
LDA of Indiana Amy Forshey Memorial Excellence in Education Award
This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments of an Indiana educational professional who excels in the field of learning disabilities and/or ADHD.
2016 Winner: Dana Huffer, Fall Creek Elementary School,Fishers
Congratulations, Mrs. Huffer!
Dana Huffer is a fourth grade teacher at Fall Creek Elementary School. In nominating her, Betty Salgado said, "Mrs. Huffer is dedicated to all of her students. She goes above and beyond her duties. She has made a tremendous difference in the life of my child by helping us understand her learning issues and accommodating those needs through a teaching style that gives her the attention and assistance that has led to academic success."
Andrea Fenchak, a former colleague, said, "Dana Huffer provides leadership, guidance and effective interventions for her students. She differentiates their work, provides individualized assistance, communicates with parents, and enriches the lives of every student she instructs. She is a warm, kind, caring individual who is able to identify with her students while maintaining a professional, yet inviting classroom environment."
Mrs. Huffer is a graduate of Ball State University, majoring in elementary education with a dual focus in special education. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree. During her educational career she was honored with the Leslie J. Mauth Scholarship and was selected for the Golden Key National Honor Society. During the past two decades, she has been involved in education by administering, developing and implementing programs in the areas of progress monitoring assessments, RTI instruction, team teaching, various extracurricular activities, volunteering, and avenues that promote effective communication with parents.
Congratulations, DanaHuffer, and best wishes for continued success!
LDA of Indiana You Make a DifferenceAward
This award acknowledges and celebrates the accomplishments ofa community member or organization in Indianathathas been especially helpful to personswith learning disabilities and/or ADHD.
2016 Winner: Jeanne Legge, River Birch Elementary School, Avon
Congratulations, Mrs. Legge!
Jeannie Legge is a fourth grade teacher at River Birch Elementary School. She was nominated by Stephanie Goebel, whose son is a student in her class. In nominating Legge, Goebel stated, "Mrs. Legge always puts her students first, and she has gone above and beyond to make sure my son succeeds. She loves and supports all of her students. It is comforting that all of them know they are loved. " Goebel also said, “Jacob has a Traumatic Brain Injury that affects the way he learns. When my son had his kidney removed, Mrs. Legge was right there when he got home to make sure he was okay and even brought him a get well gift!"
Mrs. Legge received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education, with an endorsement in special education, from Marian College in 1983, and a Masters degree in Elementary Education from Butler University in 1989. She began her teaching career at Holy Cross Central in Indianapolis from 1983-86. Since then, she has taught fourth grade for 29 years in Avon Community Schools, mostly in an inclusion classroom that serves both general ed and special ed students. Mrs. Legge stated, “I love the dynamics of an inclusion environment where students of all abilities share their strengths and struggles in an effort to help one another thrive and achieve. The compassion, patience, excitement, and growth I see in my learners inspire me to be a better teacher every day.”
In 2005, she was nominated as a top ten finalist for the Indiana State Teacher of the Year. She has been married to her husband, Norm, for 26 years and has adult children.
LDA Congratulates Jeannie Legge!