High standards and expectations for teachers are high in Plainfield. We work diligently to hire the best teachers possible, making sure that the students in this district are getting the best -- every year. Rigorous standards make sure that there isn't a doubt that the Plainfield Teacher of the Year is truly an outstanding educator.
We have two recipients of the honor of Plainfield's Teacher of the Year, and we are immensely proud of how they represent Plainfield Schools.
Abigail Carter, 1st Grade teacher at Guilford Elementary, is the district's Elementary representative. Elaine Townsend, PHS teacher, is the district's Secondary representative.
These two teachers take pride in making sure that the learning in their classrooms is exciting, engaging, and innovative.
Mrs. Carter works hard every day to make sure her students are learning all that they can, which she approaches with our ‘Bringing Joy to Learning’ mission in mind. Whether it’s themed days, first grade community-wide experiences, shopping in the ‘store’ or procuring Valentine cards from all over the world, she makes sure that her students leave school with the best experience they can. Additionally, she serves as the Guilford Elementary PTO president, working hard to make sure that students and teachers have exceptional experiences all school year long.
Mrs. Townsend challenges her students to look critically to find problems and solutions. She teaches Project Lead the Way Biomedical Sciences classes, which encourages our students to take part in hands-on experiential learning, which helps knowledge retention. From dissections, clay recreations, Stop the Bleed training and more, Mrs. Townsend makes sure to create impressions on her students that last for their entire time at PHS. She also is the co-chair sponsor of the HOSA club, which takes high school students to the elementary schools to participate in STEM activities.
Over the summer, Mrs. Carter and Mrs. Townsend will complete the in-depth application to the Indiana Department of Education’s state Teacher of the Year program. We are sure that those who have been able to be educated by either one of these teachers have no doubt that they are excellent candidates for the state's highest educator award. We are so proud to have these two teachers at Plainfield!