Four AU Grads Earn Teacher of the Year Honors
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Anderson, Ind. — In the most unusual of years due to COVID-19, teachers were asked to step up for children across the world. Four Anderson University graduates are being recognized for their hard work this past year and have earned Teacher of the Year awards.
Alyssa Balbaugh Anderson ’11, Isaac Denniston ’19, Sarah Fulk ’10, and Melissa Donaldson ’12 all earned honors in their respective districts.
“We are so proud of these music teachers who have demonstrated great innovation during these challenging times,” said Dr. Jeff Wright, dean of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. “Their fine work is a testament to the excellent preparation they received in the music education program at Anderson University. Like all of our graduates, they were prepared to think creatively and find meaningful ways to keep their students connected to the power and beauty of music.”
Anderson is a music teacher at Pine Tree Elementary in Avon, Indiana, and utilizes the Orff Schulwerk method in her classroom. She earned her certification through Anderson University in 2013. Denniston is also a music teacher at Northside Elementary in Muncie, Indiana. He was named the Muncie Community Schools Secondary Teacher of the Year.
“Anderson University is both proud and impressed by the exemplary teaching of these graduates over the course of one of the most difficult teaching years in recent memory,” said Dr. Joel Shrock, associate provost and dean of the School of Humanities & Behavioral Science. “All of our academic departments that work in teacher preparation are committed to producing students who are critical thinkers, clear communicators, and engaged learners.”
Fulk teaches fifth grade reading, writing, and social studies in the gifted/high achieving classroom at JC Mitchell Elementary in Boca Raton, Florida. She received the JC Mitchell Teacher of the Year award and was recognized by the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunrise as a Teacher of the Year. Donaldson is in her sixth year of teaching second grade at Douglas MacArthur Elementary in Cedar Lake, Indiana, and she was named Teacher of the Year as voted by the rest of the school.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.