Indiana Teacher of the Year Kathy Nimmer is one of four finalists for the 2015 National Teacher of the Year award.

Nimmer, an English teacher at William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, was selected from a group of teachers from each state. The program is run by the Council of Chief State School Officers and identifies exceptional teachers, recognizing them for their effective work in the classroom and empowering them to participate in policy discussions at the state and national levels.

Nimmer realized her dream of becoming a teacher, despite a retinal disease that gradually took her vision. She teaches English 10, creative writing and senior composition.

“We all have a story to tell; mine includes a disability, but we all have something to overcome, and my students know that,” said Nimmer. “Helping my students find their voices through writing and literature has been a privilege and will continue to be what feeds my soul. My passion for creativity matches the incredible imagination of my students, so I am blessed daily.”

“Few people can change a child’s life like a great teacher. A teacher can inspire curiosity and confidence that lifts a student for life,” said Chris Minnich, executive director of CCSSO. “It is clear these teachers have risen to more professional challenges than ever in the classroom, and their impact extends far beyond school walls.”

The other candidates for the national award are: Ann Marie Corgill, Alabama; Catherine Caine, Hawaii; and Shanna Peeples, Texas. The President of the United States will recognize the National Teacher of the Year in a White House ceremony in April.

Source: Inside Indiana Business