Teacher of the Year

“I’m a teacher in Plainfield.” That sentence has become synonymous with excellent educators, outstanding opportunities for students, and rising above the standard. 

We are delighted to announce our 2027 Teachers of the Year, two exceptional teachers who truly embody our mission of bringing joy to learning. Their passion, innovation, and unwavering commitment have made a deep and lasting impact on their students and the entire school community.

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Mrs. Jenny Judd – Elementary Teacher of the Year

For the past 21 years, Mrs. Jenny Judd has called Plainfield Schools home. With the last 20 years teaching third grade in Central or Clarks Creek Elementary, she has shaped the minds of young students for over 3,700 school days! Her classroom is a place where students feel uplifted and ready to learn every single time they walk through the door.

She integrates STEM and hands-on learning in various ways, using stop-motion videos to act out scenes from a novel, unplugged coding, and more. She also strives to create cross-curricular activities. In social studies, students learn about how different American Indian tribes sourced food, integrating current math skills. For example, students use bows and arrows to "shoot" buffalo and must represent a multiplication equation using an array, repeated addition, equal groups picture, and number lines. They also "catch" fish to solve math facts, then display the corresponding array on an ear of corn.

She holds “book tasting days” where students can spend a few minutes in the “restaurant” reading different types of books – humor, fiction, biographies, and more – while figuring out which types of books appeal to them. She’s also created the Plainfield Youth Citizens Academy, which takes students on a field trip to visit and learn from firefighters, police officers and 911 dispatchers, town council members and town employees, public works employees, and more, creating a sense of community and civic pride in some of our youngest Quaker students. 

Mrs. Judd stepped up in 2022 to coach Clarks Creek Robotics, and the team has grown exponentially each year. She also created the Kindness Crew at Clarks Creek, which her students are overjoyed to be a part of. She creates shirts for each student at the beginning of the school year, and the group makes signs. Every Friday morning, they stand outside and greet the rest of the Clarks Creek students with fun music, signs, and joy.  

Check out Mrs. Judd’s Teacher of the Year Website

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Mr. Christian Arvin – Secondary Teacher of the Year

In the classrooms of Plainfield High School, Mr. Christian Arvin has become a cornerstone of the Social Studies department, where he brings history and civic duty to life for his students. A dedicated educator with years of experience in the district, Mr. Arvin is known for more than just his lectures; he is recognized for his ability to connect history and economics to the modern world, fostering a deep sense of analytical thinking and global awareness in every student who walks through his door.

Mr. Arvin emphasizes the importance of understanding our past to navigate the future, ensuring that his students are not only well-versed in history but are also prepared to be engaged, informed citizens. His classroom is a space of rigorous inquiry and mutual respect, where students are encouraged to challenge perspectives and develop their own voices. His exceptional leadership in the classroom is what has led to his students consistently scoring a 3 or above on the AP Microeconomics Exam.

Beyond the classroom, Mr. Arvin’s leadership extends to the athletic fields and the broader school culture. As the Head Coach for the Boys Varsity Cross Country team, he helps student-athletes develop the discipline, resilience, and teamwork necessary for success both on and off the field. For his dedication as cross country coach, he was recognized as the 2025 Mid-State Conference Cross Country Coach of the Year.  He also co-sponsors the Riley Dance Marathon Club at PHS, which consistently raises over $10,000 for Riley Children’s Hospital. Whether he is coaching a runner through a tough mile or guiding his social studies students through a complex historical era, Mr. Arvin’s dedication to the growth of the "whole student" makes him an invaluable asset to the Quaker family.

Check out Mr. Arvin’s Teacher of the Year Website

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Plainfield Schools are incredibly proud to have Mrs. Judd and Mr. Arvin shaping the minds and hearts of our students. As they proceed with the comprehensive application for the Indiana Department of Education’s prestigious Teacher of the Year program, we offer our heartfelt congratulations and full support.

They are both outstanding educators, representing our district well through their innovative teaching methods, dedication to student success, and valuable contributions to the school community.
 

Mrs. Megan Johnson –  2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year

With nearly two decades of teaching experience, Mrs. Megan Johnson has become a cornerstone of innovation and inspiration at Central Elementary. Her classroom is a dynamic environment where students are encouraged to explore, create, and think critically.​

Mrs. Johnson's dedication to integrating technology into her teaching is evident through her initiatives like the "Design Thinking with 3D Printers and Novels" project. In this endeavor, students read the novel Holes and then used design thinking principles to create tools for digging holes, bridging literature and STEM in a tangible way.

Understanding the importance of real-world connections, she organized the "Famous Olympic Hoosier Wax Museum," where students researched Indiana Olympians and Paralympians, conducted interviews, and even utilized AI to engage with athletes who couldn't attend in person.

Beyond academics, Mrs. Johnson fosters a sense of community and empathy. She spearheaded a hygiene supply drive, assembling kits for over 60 families in need, demonstrating her commitment to student well-being both inside and outside the classroom.

In September of 2025, Mrs. Johnson was surprised by Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, and announced as the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year. We are incredibly proud of her for her accomplishments, her hard work, and the way that she's bringing joy to learning to students and teachers in Plainfield and across the state of Indiana.