Living In Pike.com

Congraulations go out to Mr. Dan Kuznik, math teacher in the Pike Freshman Center. Last Thursday he was awarded 2008 Indiana State Teacher of the Year. A great honor for the Pike Schools System. From the schools news release;

Today, Dr. Suellen Reed, Superintendent of Public Instruction, visited the Pike Performing Arts Center to present the Indiana State Teacher of the Year Award to Mr. Dan Kuznik! Dr. Reed surprised Mr. Kuznik and the freshman family with the announcement at their annual ISTEP convocation.

According to an information release from the Indiana Department of Education, “Math teacher Daniel Kuznik knows that the essentials of education are commonly listed as curriculum, instruction and assessment, but he challenges himself and other educators to form strong relationships with students. This is why Kuznik was named the 2008 Indiana Teacher of the Year.”

Mr. Kuznik was selected to receive the honor by an Indiana Department of Education committee comprised of department personnel and external community and education leaders – including former teachers of the year. He was chosen from an initial pool of 53 public and nonpublic educators nominated by local superintendents across the state.

Superintendent Jones said, “I cannot think of a more deserving educator to receive this honor. Dan Kuznik is a committed educator who is passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of his students.”

“Mr. Kuznik clearly has the ability to connect with his students in an important way. The high expectations he sets for his students are a positive example for us all, and we are proud to have him representing us at the national teacher of the year competition.”

- Dr. Suellen Reed -

“Dan is one of those rare educators who understands and embraces the awesome responsibility of educating all children. His strength as a teacher is his ability to connect, interact and inspire his students to learn.”

- – Superintendent Nathaniel Jones -