WESTERN SCHOOL CORPORATION

Each year, Western School Corporation selects a building representative for Teacher of the Year and Support Staff of the Year. From those building-level honorees, one overall corporation winner is selected in each category. These eight educators and staff members represent the very best of Western, and we are proud to celebrate their dedication, impact, and service to our students and school community. Learn more about these incredible Panthers below:

TEACHER OF THE YEAR BUILDING LEVEL HONOREES

Kelly Tuberty - WPS (Corporation Winner)
Mrs. Kelly Tuberty is a dedicated educator that is currently a STREAM Teacher at Western School Corporation in the primary grades, K-2. Western Primary School is located in Russiaville, Indiana. Tuberty saw the need for enriching literacy instruction during these important foundational years under the umbrella of STEM. Her innovative vision includes weaving K-2 literacy skills throughout her instruction of integrated STEM standards.

Tuberty earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a minor in reading at Indiana University in Kokomo. She also holds a language arts endorsement. She went on to earn a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Olivet Nazarene University. She is currently earning an Early Literacy Endorsement.

Tuberty has served as a mentor for Emerging Educators Mentor Network and has hosted several teachers in training in her classroom. She earned the Teacher of Distinction Award in 2018 from Indiana University Kokomo. Her top priority as an educator is teaching literacy during foundational years and intervention when appropriate. Additionally, Tuberty values the need for students to learn to communicate and collaborate effectively with each other during primary school years. She believes in providing intentional guidance for students to encourage a healthy relationship with technology.

 

Janelle Quinn - WIS
Janelle Quinn is an educator at Western Intermediate School in Russiaville, Indiana, where she has dedicated her career to fostering academic excellence in the third grade.  As a comprehensive classroom teacher, Quinn instructs her students across all subject areas, with a deep-seated pedagogical priority focused on ensuring every child becomes a proficient reader while simultaneously building strong, confident mathematical thinkers.

Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Ball State University and a Masters of Arts in Education from Olivet Nazarene University.  A high qualified professional, Quinn holds an Indiana Professional Educator License in Elementary Education.

Throughout her tenure, Quinn’s commitment to literacy has garnered significant regional recognition.  Her class was honored as the Runner-Up Finalist for the WISH-TV I Love to Read Challenge in 2024 and her class was named a Top 16 Finalist for the prestigious challenge in 2022, 2023, and 2025.  Beyond the classroom, her leadership and expertise are reflected in her roles as a Professional Learning Communities Lead Teacher and Teacher Mentor, where she supports the growth of her peers and the broader school community. 

 

Jacob Bright - WMS
Jacob Bright has taught seventh-grade math for 14 years at Western Middle School in Russiaville, Indiana.  A 2012 graduate of Purdue University, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education.  Bright’s passion for the subject dates back to his fourth grade year, when he would create his own math lessons and save them on floppy disks for his younger sister. 

Much of Bright’s time in class is spent facilitating peer-to-peer instruction, as he believes that working collaboratively deepens student understanding.  He also likes to incorporate movement-based activities like scavenger hunts, escape rooms, and murder mysteries into his lessons, finding that students focus better and retain more information when they are up and moving around the classroom. 

In addition to teaching math 7 and pre-algebra, Bright has coached the WMS math Academic Super Bowl team since 2014, leading them to multiple top-five state finishes— including a state championship.  His athletic leadership includes a decade of coaching the WMS football and baseball teams (2012–2022) before transitioning to his current role as the high school fall/spring sports supervisor.  Beyond teaching and coaching, Bright contributes to his school community as a member of the guiding coalition and a Western Education Association building representative. 

 

Olivia Bright - WHS
Olivia Bright teaches Spanish I and AP Spanish Language and Culture at Western High School in Russiaville, Indiana.  She also works with English Learners on a daily basis as a resource to gain further proficiency in the English language. Bright is a graduate of Taylor University in Upland, Indiana where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Education and Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL).  

During her time at Western High School, Bright has conducted her language classes in a way in which the students don’t just learn the language on paper, but rather use it to communicate with the world around them. She has consistently facilitated her classes in a collaborative and hands-on way that lowers the affective filter and allows students the opportunity to utilize their skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking the Spanish language with confidence.  

Bright’s leadership and impact extends outside of her classroom. She has also led staff professional development sessions that have supported classroom teachers with the tools to effectively teach multilingual students. Bright successfully coordinated student trips to Spain in 2018, 2022, and 2024. She served as the head cheerleading coach at Western from 2017-2026 where she successfully facilitated the largest youth camp in the corporation, coached five different teams to the Universal Cheerleaders Association leadership award, and led teams in 2019 and 2024 to cheer at the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida. She is the Spanish Club sponsor, World Language Department Head, and a member of the guiding coalition.  

 

SUPPORT STAFF OF THE YEAR BUILDING LEVEL HONOREES

Sarah Graves - WPS
Sarah Graves is currently a classroom aide but has supported Western Primary for five years as a substitute teacher as well as a special education paraprofessional. 

She has over ten years experience in higher education in roles including testing specialist, advising, and registrar. Sarah is a proud graduate of Indiana University and served for ten years in the US Air Force as an intelligence analyst. 

As a special-needs parent, she has the ability to meet each student where they are and recognize the needs of the students in the classroom effortlessly.  Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her family and is a voracious reader.  

 

Haley Easter - WIS

Haley Easter has been a valued member of the Western Intermediate staff for the past four years. She began her journey at Western as a one on one special education aide before transitioning into the ED behavior room, where she has served students for the last three years. Throughout her time at Western, Haley has built meaningful relationships with students and staff through her compassion, patience, and unwavering dedication to supporting kids each day.

Outside of school, Haley enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and their cat. As a family, they love staying active and making memories together through trips to the races, going out to eat, and rollerblading.

What Haley loves most about her role is the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students every single day. She is passionate about helping students feel valued, supported, and seen, especially those who may otherwise go unnoticed. Her heart for kids and commitment to their success is evident in everything she does, making her incredibly deserving of being recognized as Western Intermediate’s Support Staff Member of the Year.

 

Jack Lazar II - WMS (Corporation Winner)

Jack Lazar II serves as a sixth grade special education aide at Western Middle School, where he works alongside Gen Turner to support students each day. His compassion, patience, and natural ability to connect with students make him a valued member of the WMS staff.

Jack earned his Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services from Purdue University and his Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy. Before coming to Western, he completed several internships with DCS in Lafayette while also playing college football.

Jack’s compassion for supporting students with special needs has been shaped by meaningful life experiences that taught him a nurturing patience and acceptance from a young age. Growing up close to his cousin Peter gave Jack an early understanding of the importance of kindness, inclusion, and seeing people for who they are. That same compassion for others continued through his work in a nursing home, his care for a beloved family member through serious health challenges, and the love and support he gives his stepson. These experiences have helped shape the calm, caring, and dependable presence he brings to students each day.

Jack is known for his heart of gold and his willingness to help students in any way possible. He builds meaningful relationships while also holding students to high expectations, helping them work hard, reach goals, and experience success. His dedication to serving students makes him a deserving recipient of Western Middle School’s Support Staff Member of the Year recognition.

 

Katie Franklin - WHS

Katie Franklin serves as the Receptionist and Attendance Secretary at Western High School, where she is a welcoming and friendly face for students, families, and staff. As a proud Western High School alumna, she brings a deep sense of connection and pride to her position.

Before joining Western, Katie built a strong work ethic through her work as a diecast operator and an aerospace quality inspector. After being laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic, she chose to pursue a path that would allow her to be closer to her children. That decision led her back to Western High School, where she began as the ACS Supervisor. Within six months, her dedication and reliability earned her a transition into the main office, where she now excels.

Outside of work, Katie is a proud mother to her three children: Bethany, Aiden, and Alena. She also enjoys spending time with her boyfriend, Joshua, and their dog, Nymeria.

Katie’s commitment to both her family and her school community reflects the true spirit of this award, making her a deserving recipient of the WHS Support Staff of the Year.