NPHS teacher Gina Iacobucci, a social studies teacher, works with her students during a recent class. Iacobucci and Amy Swartz, a special education teacher at Greenfield-Central Intermediate School, were named among the Top 25 teachers in the state. On Friday, Gina learned that she made it to the Top 10. Gina was the SH-Teacher of the Year.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
HANCOCK COUNTY — It will probably not come as a surprise to those who understand and know the field of education that some of the best teachers in the state work in Hancock County. Officials from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) confirmed the notion, naming one county teacher a Top 10 finalist for the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year (INTOY) honors while the same teacher and another county educator made it to the Top 25 list.
Gina Iacobucci, a social studies teacher at New Palestine High School, found out Friday, after already being named a Top 25 teacher in the state, that she has been selected as a Top 10 finalist for the statewide honor. Amy Swartz, a special education teacher at Greenfield Intermediate School, had also been named earlier, like Iacobucci, as one of the Top 25 educators in Indiana.
The selection committee has invited Iacobucci to the “Top 10 Interview Day” in Indianapolis, Monday, Aug. 28, meaning she’s in the running to be named the top teacher in the state.
“I’m excited to have made it this far,” Iacobucci said. “I thought I had a chance at the Top 25 because I felt good about my application, but thought the Top 10 was probably a longshot.”
For Iacobucci, who has absolutely “loved” teaching at NPHS for the past eight years, the honor of being named as an Indiana Top 10 Teacher means the world to her.
“Since I started teaching, I’ve always wanted to do the best I can for my students,” she said. “I love teaching because I get to talk about topics I find fascinating all day, and be around high schoolers who are fun, curious and creative.”
The best part about teaching, Iacobucci said, is when students realize answers to questions they’ve always wondered about, find a topic in government they are passionate about, or feel empowered they can make a difference through civic engagement.
Iacobucci noted that, in her first few years of teaching, there were countless evenings spent working and stressing about whether lesson plans would be effective and engaging.
“I’ve tried to adapt and improve every year,” she said. “Being recognized for a job well done in this profession, that means so much to me and is incredibly validating and encouraging.”
Iacobucci noted the congratulations from fellow staff members and mentors at other schools has been very impactful because she feels she works with many educators she looks up to.
“One of my favorite parts of this process has been congratulations from former students, especially those from my first few classes because they know how much teaching means to me and how much I desired to be a good teacher for them,” Iacobucci said.
While it seemed like a lofty goal just a few short years ago, Iacobucci said she can remember driving on I-465 and seeing a billboard featuring Lawrence North teacher Tamara Markey, the Indiana Teacher of the Year at the time, and she thought, “I’d like to be a Teacher of the Year for my school someday.”
Iacobucci is involved with many projects at NPHS including the “We the People,” team, Student Council, the Riley Dance Marathon and the Academic Super Bowl. However, she’s not stopping and said she does have some future goals in mind.
“I would like to take my ‘We the People’ team to the National ‘We the People’ competition someday, start a constitutional law class and mock trial team, and maybe even offer a Constitution 101 class for adults in the community,” she said.
Swartz, the other local Teacher of the Year nominee, didn’t advance to the Top 10, but she too has lofty goals for the impact she makes as a teacher.
“I want to do anything I can do ensure my students get exactly what they need, and to go above and beyond for students and staff to make sure that happens,” said Swartz, a fourth grade teacher who provides additional resources for special education students who spend the majority of their time in general education classrooms.
“After my first year of teaching, I reached out to our administration to find out how to get more involved because I want to do what is best for all the kids and to make their school experience the best it can be,” said Swartz, a 2006 graduate of Greenfield-Central High School.
Life has led her to a number of different school districts since starting her career in 2010, but she’s thrilled to have landed back in her hometown of Greenfield.
“It’s nice being around people that have known me growing up,” said Swartz, whose family still lives here. “It’s just nice to be around familiar faces and be able to make a difference here at home.”
For over 60 years, the INTOY program has recognized outstanding teachers across the state who are making a difference for Hoosier students. With the mission of inspiring, rejuvenating and celebrating the teaching profession, the program encourages schools to nominate their local Teachers of the Year for this statewide honor. Finalists are selected from these applicants by a committee made up of former Teachers of the Year, IDOE staff, educational organization leaders, business and community leaders and representatives from higher education.
The INTOY, who will be announced later this fall, will work to help elevate the teaching profession in Indiana, as well as represent Hoosier teachers at the national level.
