Tippy Valley School Board Honors Several Staff Members

AKRON – The Tippecanoe Valley School Board meeting Monday lasted less than an hour and was filled with positive news.

The board honored three staff members for their contributions.

Paige Miller, third-grade teacher at Mentone Elementary, was the recipient of the Tippecanoe Valley World Class Teacher Award. Miller is in her fifth year with TVSC. When asked why she loves teaching at Mentone, Miller said, “It is the relationships formed within my team and colleagues, they actually become good friends.”

Mentone Elementary Principal Randy Dahms said, “Paige Miller is a teacher who is continuously refining her instructional practice and has grown into a fantastic educator. She cares about the success of her students, is a good colleague to work with, and is committed to making Mentone Elementary a special place for kids.”

Akron School Nurse LeAnna Bell was honored with the Tippecanoe Valley Pillar Award for Outstanding Support Staff.

Before coming to Akron Elementary, Bell worked in the private sector for 10 years and now has been a school nurse for 11 years.

Superintendent Brett Boggs said, “Her responsibilities have changed over the years with more parent education required now with various needs and more state-mandated reports.”

Akron Principal Christy Mills shared her thoughts about Bell, saying, “Leanna does an amazing job with our students. Our students love and trust her. Many students stop in or a regular basis to talk, give a fist bump or get a hug from her. I can’t imagine our school without her, she’s truly an outstanding person and nurse.”

Also receiving a Pillar Award was Emily Gearhart. She has served as the athletic secretary for TVHS for five years. The 2009 TVHS graduate was a manager of both girl’s basketball and track during her high school years.

Boggs said, “Her role as athletic secretary means she has to juggle many responsibilities from game preparation, preparing money boxes, confirming and paying officials, roster coordination, to actually attending sporting events.”

In addition to her work with the school, Gearhart is a pastor for two Methodist churches in Leiters Ford and Monterey.