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Winter 2026 Impact Award Winners
Posted on March 2, 2026Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is proud to recognize a group of outstanding educators whose work has led to exceptional student growth and achievement across multiple grade levels and subject areas. These teachers are being recognized for their measurable instructional impact and dedication to helping students succeed.
Penn High School
Keith O’Connell – AP U.S. History
Julie Huxford – AP Language and Composition
Keith O’Connell and Julie Huxford are being recognized for outstanding student performance in Advanced Placement coursework at Penn High School. Both teachers had the highest percentage of students earning a score of 3 or higher on their respective AP exams last year. Over the past three years, AP U.S. History results have improved from -1% to +8% compared to state averages, while AP Language and Composition results have increased from +11% to +18% when compared to state performance. The two educators also teach a Seminar class together, allowing students to benefit from their collaborative approach and shared expertise. Read more about Keith O’Connell and Julie Huxford.
Discovery Middle School
Patrick O’Malley – 8th Grade ELA
Patrick O’Malley achieved the highest overall growth in two of his classes from ELA Checkpoint 1 to ELA Checkpoint 2, with an average growth of 67 scale points. This marked the highest growth among all 8th grade ELA classes. Read more about Patrick O’Malley.
Grissom Middle School
Laura Plasschaert – 8th Grade Math
Laura Plasschaert demonstrated impressive growth in 8th grade Math, achieving a 49-point variance from Math Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2. Read more about Laura Plasschaert.
Schmucker Middle School
Nancy Ladson – Advanced 7th Grade
Nancy Ladson is being recognized for exceptional student growth in Advanced 7th Grade. From Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2, her class achieved a gain of 145 scale points, one of the strongest gains observed during this assessment window. Read more about Nancy Ladson.
Elsie Rogers Elementary School
Krystle Mauro – Grade 3 Math
Krystle Mauro is being recognized for strong student growth in Math between Checkpoint 1 and Checkpoint 2. Using average class scale scores, her students demonstrated a gain of 52 scale points, reflecting meaningful progress and instructional impact. Read more about Krystle Mauro.
Mary Frank Elementary School
Rachel Kelleher – Grade 4
Rachel Kelleher achieved the highest overall growth in the district for both ELA and Math in 4th grade from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2. Her classes showed an 81-point variance in ELA and a 64-point variance in Math, demonstrating exceptional achievement across subjects.
Nicole Greene – Grade 4
Nicole Greene, who teams with Kelleher at Mary Frank, achieved the second highest overall growth for 4th grade ELA with a 65-point variance from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2. Read more about Rachel Kelleher and Nicole Greene.
Horizon Elementary School
Natalie Hapke – Grade 1
Natalie Hapke achieved the highest growth in Grade 1 from Beginning of Year (BOY) to Middle of Year (MOY), with 55% growth. Read more about Natalie Hapke.
Elm Road Elementary School
Melissa Barnes – Kindergarten
Melissa Barnes achieved the highest growth in Kindergarten from Beginning of Year (BOY) to Middle of Year (MOY), also reaching 55% growth. Read more about Melissa Barnes.
P-H-M is proud to celebrate the dedication, innovation, and instructional excellence of these educators. Their work continues to support student achievement and reflects the district’s commitment to academic excellence for all learners.
Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for covering the cost for the beautiful crystal awards which teachers can proudly display in their classrooms.
Click on the links to see past impact award winners: 2023, 2024, 2025.
Last Modified April 13, 2026