The Indiana Department of Education has awarded the 2024 Excellence in Leading and Learning Award to the Tippecanoe School Corporation. The award recognizes a school corporation that provides professional learning support for educators, including efforts that enhance recruitment and retention. 

With the award, the TSC will receive a nearly $225,000 grant to enhance its SEEDS (Supporting Educators Entering District Service) program. The program was initiated in 2021 to mentor, nurture and retain new teachers. 

“TSC is thrilled to be recognized by the IDOE with the Excellence in Leading and Learning Award for our creation of the SEEDS program,” says TSC Superintendent Dr. Scott Hanback. “The TSC is focused on not only attracting, but retaining the best teachers for our students in our classrooms across the corporation. SEEDS was intentionally developed as a sustainable support system for new hires joining the TSC to influence their start with the corporation in a positive way.”

“This program gives me the privilege of loving our new educators daily, which might take the shape of encouragement for one teacher or practical assistance for another or a guest lesson that provides respite for yet another,” says SEEDS Director Kathy Nimmer. “The funds from this award are simultaneously an affirmation of what we’ve done in SEEDS and also what the teachers joining us will continue to receive as they step into this challenging and beautiful profession.”

The grant money will help fund staffing for SEEDS, including a pilot program to have SEEDS teacher leaders at each of the TSC’s 19 buildings. Other funds will cover the cost of professional development for new teachers and the purchase of supplies and resource materials.