FRANKLIN, Ind. — The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) has named Franklin Community High School’s Eric Jenkins as the 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year.
Jenkins teaches tenth-grade honors/general English/language arts, as well as Indiana University’s Advanced College Project (ACP) Composition Course W131. Now in his thirteenth year of teaching, he began his career at the American Christian Academy in Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2007 and moved back to the U.S. in 2008 to teach in Trussville, Alabama.
An Indiana native, Jenkins returned to central Indiana after receiving his Master of Science in Literacy from the State University of New York in 2013 to teach at Franklin Community High School. Jenkins also has a Master’s certificate in High Ability Education and pursued additional training in order to strengthen his classroom instruction and teach W131 for dual credit.
“Eric is a selfless educator and a consummate professional,” FCHS Principal Steve Ahaus said. “He is constantly looking for ways to grow in order to impact student learning. He values his colleagues and the power of collaboration in education.”
“Eric is the epitome of a great teacher. He is passionate about growing students and allowing them to reach their full potential,” Superintendent Dr. David Clendening said.
As Indiana Teacher of the Year, Jenkins will work to help elevate the teaching profession in Indiana, as well as represent Hoosier teachers at the national level.
For over 60 years, the Indiana Teacher of the Year Program has worked to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding teachers from across the state. The program encourages schools to nominate their local Teachers of the Year for this statewide honor.
