Indiana Pacers Guard George Hill, an IPS graduate, got emotional when he received a surprise visit from the Broad Ripple High School Teacher, Susan Avery, who helped inspired and pushed him to succeed. The tearful and joyful reunion occurred as Hill joined IPS Superintendent Dr. Lewis Ferebee and United Way CEO Ann Murtlow to announce the formation of the Hubbard Prize for Life-Changing Teachers. This is a new program created by Indianapolis residents and longtime education champions Al and Kathy Hubbard to reward IPS teachers making tremendous differences in turning around the lives of their students. The Hubbards’ will invest some $400,000 to create the prize. Each year, four teachers will be selected to receive $25,000. The first awardees will be selected in 2014. Their are plans to continue the program through at least 2016. Each year, six additional teacher/finalists will be awarded $1,000 each. Hill will help promote the Hubbard Prize through PSA’s airing on AM1310 The Light and its sister radio stations. He’ll also serve on the winner-selection committee.
The Hubbards’ were inspired to do this after reading about an IPS teacher at John Marshall High School who helped turn around a student’s life. During the announcement, Hill met his high school teacher who kept pushing him to succeed and graduate. He hadn’t seen her for years and their reunion brought everyone attending in tears. Appearing on Afternoons with Amos later, Al Hubbard and Dr. Ferebee talked about why the Hubbard Prize was created and how it will help IPS and the students it serves and the teachers who serve them. Al Hubbard is a successful Indianapolis businessman who Chairs E&A Industries. He also served as President George W. Bush’s Director of the National Economic Council.
Speaking on Afternoons with Amos, Dr. Ferebee was thrilled that the Hubbard Prize would help lift up the outstanding work that IPS teachers do everyday to help their students achieve. Asked how his old boss friend President and former First Lady George and Laura Bush would think of his efforts, Hubbard told Amos that he thought the President would be pleased. “Education was one of the President’s passions”, Hubbard told listeners. United Way will administer the program. All full-time IPS teachers, as well as full-time teachers at Arlington, Manual and Howe High Schools and Emma Donnan Middle School are eligible for the awards. IPS teachers, parents, alumni, administrators and students and community are welcomed and encouraged to send in nominations. Deadline is Friday, January 24, 2014. Click the Link to Submit a Nomination. Click To Submit Nomination for Hubbard Prize IPS Teacher Award. Or pick up a nomination form at any Indianapolis Marion County Public Library location. Click the Arrow to Hear Amos’ Interview with IPS Supt. Dr. Lewis Ferebee and Al Hubbard on the Hubbard Prize for Life Changing Teachers. Runs 23 Minutes ©2013 WTLC/Radio One.
