Indiana Department of Education names 2025 teacher of the year finalists

INDIANAPOLIS — Officials with the Indiana Department of Education announced the state’s Top 10 Teacher of the Year finalists for 2025 on Wednesday.

According to a news release from the department, this year’s 10 finalists come from various school districts throughout the state of Indiana who “are making a difference for Hoosier students.”

The 2025 Indiana teacher of the year finalists are:

• Justin Allison, Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township
• Dayna Cade, Plainfield Community School Corporation
• Chet Dixon, Mooresville Consolidated School Corporation
• Molly Fountain, Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation
• Chelsea Haneline, Huntington County Community School Corporation
• Ellie Minogue, Tippecanoe School Corporation
• Graciela Miranda, Metropolitan School District of Pike Township
• Nicole Schadek, Purdue Polytechnic High School
• Susan Marie Shell, Michigan City Area Schools
• Shelly Swain, Richmond Community Schools

The release said that schools are able to nominate their local teachers of the year for the statewide award. Finalists are selected by a committee made up of former award winners, as well as department staff, educational organization leaders, business and community leaders, as well as representatives from higher education.

“In classrooms across our state, teachers are working to prepare students with the knowledge, skills and experiences they need to reach their full potential,” Katie Jenner, the Indiana Secretary of Education, said in the release. “The Indiana Teacher of the Year program is just one way we must continue to show our appreciation and shine a spotlight on the significant impact of our state’s top teachers.”

Officials said the Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall. For more information about the award, click here .

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