District:

Southwest Allen County Schools

School:

Haverhill Elementary School

Content Area(s):

Literary Specialist

Jean Russell is a literacy specialist at Haverhill Elementary School and the 2016 Indiana Teacher of the Year. An elementary educator for twenty-five years, she has spent the last five as a literacy specialist. In her current role, Jean works with students in kindergarten through fifth grade, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to student-centered learning and family engagement. Jean also provides professional development to teachers throughout the district, designing trainings, modeling techniques in the classroom, and providing targeted resources for her colleagues. As a teacher leader, Jean supports student literacy by creating a culture of readers both in and outside the classroom. In this role, she has helped create a community of readers whose horizons are forever enriched. Jean Russell exemplifies the ideal of servant leadership for her school and her community.