Wednesday, June 19, 2024
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . 2➤ Nappanee Area News . . . . . 6
Vol. 53, No. 52
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
Angie Speicher named
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR By LAUREN ZEUGNER Editor
When Angie Spiecher’s assistants grabbed her and pulled her into a closed door meeting, she panicked. This was her procedure for sharing bad news with them. “My heart was in my throat when they told me I needed to sit down,” she said. What she was told next left her stunned. Spiecher, a special education teacher at Pierceton Elementary School, had been named Educator of the Year by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Indiana Education Committee. She was nominated for her kindness, heart of gold, and the genuine care she shows to all her students and families. Spiecher’s room assistants and the school’s English Language Learner teacher nominated her and kept the whole thing a secret for six months. Even her daughters, Kelsey and Konnor, were in on the surprise. Her application was submitted by the Pierceton American Legion Auxiliary Unit 258. Spiecher is the resource teacher for kindergarten through third grade, working with students who have intellectual disabilities, have developmental delays or are emotionally disabled. She literally stumbled into special education while pursuing a psychology de-
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR — Special education teacher, Angie Spiecher, panicked when she was pulled into a closed door meeting by her assistants. It usually meant bad news. She was informed she had been named Teacher of the
Year by the American Legion Auxiliary Department of Indiana Education Committee. She will be honored at the national convention, held in Indianapolis in July. Photo provided by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 258.
gree. One of the requirements was to observe a special needs classroom. She did and fell in love. “I don’t know what it is, but I loved it,” she said. She had found her niche. “Now, it’s really rewarding for me to see parents bring their kids through the school to the end,” she said. Spiecher just finished her 38th year teaching and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. A native of the area, Spiecher attended Whitko schools. After graduating from college, she returned wanting to teach in the Whitko School Corporation. She taught in Akron for three years before moving to Pierceton Elementary where she’s been ever since. Spiecher noted she started her career in the old elementary school, which she misses. She is honored to be named Educator of the Year. “I’ve been overwhelmed. It’s very nice,” she said. “This is a very big deal. The way we are in my room with my assistants, we have an amazing team, and we share things about our personal and professional lives.” She still marvels at how her school team and her own children managed to keep the secret for so long. When asked how her students felt about Continued on page 2
PIERCETON CUB — Special education teacher, Angie Spiecher, will always be a Pierceton Cub. She has taught at the school for over 30 years and has no plans to slow down anytime soon. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.