COLUMBUS, Ind. – CSA Lincoln Elementary School Book Buddies coordinator Emma Jensen is the recipient of the 2024 Bill and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching Award administered by Heritage Fund.
Established in 2000, the award recognizes outstanding elementary teachers in the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) and comes with a $1,000 stipend. Recipients are nominated by their principals and must demonstrate dedication to their job, exemplary initiative, and contributions to improve the school and its environment.
Jensen was credited with playing an integral role in the success of the school’s IREAD-3 state assessment pass rate, which ranks CSA Lincoln at the top of both school district and state levels. Jensen was also praised for her dedication to the Book Buddies program and continually ensuring that no student was turned away for lack of support, even when volunteer numbers declined during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today’s full roster of volunteers, which includes retired community members, BCSC district administrators, parents, and local business workers, is a testament to Jensen’s leadership abilities and why many return to the program each year.
“Mrs. Jensen embodies what it means to be a CSA Lincoln Husky, where going above and beyond for our students isn’t the exception; it’s the expectation.” Principal Brett Findley wrote in his nomination.
Courtesy-Heritage Fund
