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Afternoons with Amos has done scores of interviews with education officials, school board members, school superintendents, politicians, education reformers and frustrated parents and community members.  But our program rarely gets to interview classroom teachers.  Because they’re busy educating kids when our program’s on the air.  But Afternoons with Amos talked to two veteran teachers in our Indianapolis Public Schools – Jamie Kalb and Susan Avery – who went several “extra miles” to help their students grow, mature and succeed. Jamie Kalb is a fourth teacher at Washington Irving School 14 (which this school year is residing at School 98 until repairs are completed). A teacher for ten years, eight in IPS, Kalb is the first recipient of the Hubbard Prize for Life-Changing Teachers. Her efforts are credited with being the inspiration for Al and Kathy Hubbard to establish the Hubbard Prize award. Last month, Jamie Kalb received a $25,000 check for being the type of teacher deserving of the Hubbard Prize.  Susan Avery is a seventh and eighth grade English Teacher at Northwest High School. A 38-year teaching veteran, nearly all in IPS, Avery, when she taught at Broad Ripple High School, is credited for helping now Indiana Pacer star George Hill become a successful high school student and pave the way for his current success. Avery was honored with a $1,000 prize from the Hubbards for being an exemplary teacher. Jamie Kalb and Susan Avery talked about why they take the extra effort for their students.  Both teachers talked frankly about the challenges teachers face today educating students, including things that hold back their ability to educate and work with students. The teachers talk about the challenges students face today and how they try to overcome those challenges to help their students. It’s a compelling interview that anyone concerned with education must hear.  Both teachers were joined by  Mary Gardner from United Way of Central Indiana who talked about how the community can nominate an outstanding IPS teacher for the Hubbard Prize. You can click the link to enter a Hubbard Prize Nomination. Click To Nominate IPS Teacher For Hubbard Prize Click the Arrow to Hear Amos’ Interview with two outstanding, committed classroom teachers. Runs 29 Minutes ©2013 WTLC/Radio One.