Carmel Clay Education Foundation, in addition to the telethon, also sponsors the Educator Honor Roll. According to the foundation, students or parents may nominate a teacher, bus driver, coach, principal or school secretary by making a charitable, tax-deductible donation to the CCEF. Recipients of the award will have their names on the official list online and receive a certificate. The form to nominate a staff member can be found here.

CHTV sponsor Hal Espey said that the telethon also raises money for teachers’ grants. “Just the fact that you are given money to do a project (means) they’re thinking positively that you’re doing a good job,” Espey said.

A final method for teacher recognition is the Carmel Clay Teacher of the Year nominations, which must be submitted to Dr. Jeff Swensson, assistant superintendent for curriculum, instruction and assessment by March 2.

According to the district’s Web site, the nomination should include a short, 200 word or less essay on why the educator should be considered. The chosen winner will continue on to represent the district in the selections for Indiana Teacher of the Year.

Math teacher Janice Mitchener, a past winner, said, “You get recognition all around Carmel. It’s a personal honor. You can’t even describe the personal satisfaction and the honor of being selected.”