Penn High School celebrated students taking the next step toward their futures today with two Signing Day events recognizing members of the Class of 2026 pursuing careers in education and the skilled trades.

Click to see the full photo gallery in the Class of 2026 Photo Poral: https://phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026

This morning, Penn hosted its third annual Teacher Signing Day, a tradition that began with the Class of 2024. Thirteen graduating seniors were recognized for their commitment to majoring in education in college and pursuing careers as future teachers.

The future teachers are guaranteed a job interview with P-H-M upon completion of their education degree and teacher licensure.

The students invited a current P-H-M teacher who played a meaningful role in encouraging their interest in the profession.

And then this afternoon, two more seniors pursuing careers in the skilled trades were recognized in the second Signing Day event.

Patrick Henning signed his commitment to begin an apprenticeship with Local 172 Plumbers and Pipefitters, while Brayden Ruth was recognized for enrolling in the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology’s 10-month welding program.

Local 172 Plumbers and Pipefitters is a valued community partner and a supporter of PHM Education Foundation.

The afternoon event highlighted additional career pathways available to Penn students as they prepare for life after graduation.

Together, the Signing Day celebrations reflected the many pathways Penn students can pursue after graduation.

Below is a sampling of the pictures taken at today’s events. Click to see the full galleries in the Class of 2026 Photo Poral: https://phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026

Penn High School AP Literature Teacher Michael Coffee was surprised in his classroom this afternoon (Tuesday, May 26) with the Jeneane Arter Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing his lasting impact on students and their educational experiences.

Known for his passion for literature and his commitment to students, Mr. Coffee’s classroom goes beyond the basics of course requirements. Students say his lessons challenge them to think differently, often centered around the idea of “direct your destiny,” a message that resonates far beyond the classroom.

Students nominate their teachers for the Arter award by submitting short essays about how their favorite teacher is impacting their lives.

“The fact that he cares about the subject matter, is that he cares about his students. He wants to see them succeed, and he wants to see them grow,” one student wrote. “After every email, every question, and every conversation one has with Mr. Coffee, you walk away feeling reassured and understood, sure, but you also feel mentally driven. He doesn’t just give you the answer, but he gives you stellar toolbox at finding it.” 

Students consistently describe Mr. Coffee as thoughtful, patient, and deeply invested in their success. Whether through detailed feedback, engaging discussions, or simply making time to help, they say he creates an environment where growth and confidence take hold.

Despite balancing the demands of teaching, grading, and supporting his own family, Coffee brings the same level of energy and dedication to his classroom every day. Students say that commitment is what sets him apart.

Another student who nominated Mr. Coffee shared “There are fun teachers, understanding teachers, and teachers who teach the subject in a manner that gives you a great understanding. Most teachers are at least one. Some have two of these qualities. But rarely does a teacher truly exhibit all three qualities. From the first email I ever received from Mr. Coffee I knew he had all three.”

P-H-M parents and P-H-M Education Foundation supporters Jason and Darla Lippert established the Jeneane Arter Excellence in Teaching Award is named after current Northpoint Elementary 2nd grade teacher Jeneane Arter. Any teacher is eligible for the award. Recipients receive $2,000, a gift from the Lippert Family.

Past Honorees include:

• 2025: Emily Williams, Meadow’s Edge Elementary School
• 2024: Brianne Roy, Schmucker Middle School
• 2023: Lisa Graves, Grissom Middle School
• 2022: Derrick Fairbotham, Penn High School
• 2021: Alexandra Banks, Mary Frank Elementary School
• 2019: Robi Davidson, Walt Disney Elementary School
• 2018:  Diane Bowersox, Penn High School 
• 2017: Jeneane Arter, Northpoint Elementary School

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On May 18, 2026 the P-H-M Board of School Trustees approved the naming of the Larry and Judy Beehler School Board Room at the Dr. A. Dean Speicher Educaitonal Services Center.

Larry Beehler is a longtime Board Member, elected to the Board of School Trustees in 1986. He has served consecutively for 40 years as the Madison Township representative.

Mr. Beehler is a graduate and class valedictorian of then Madison Township High School (Wakarusa), which is now Madison Elementary School, one of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools. Larry and his wife of 55 years, Judy, are lifelong residents of the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation. 

During his time on the Board, Mr. Beehler served in leadership roles as Board Secretary for three years, Board Vice President for nine years, and Board President for six years. He has also served as P-H-M’s representative on several different Indiana School Boards Association (ISBA) boards, including as Board Policy Liaison and Legislative Liaison. He is also an active member of the National Schools Boards Association (NSBA).

During his time on the Board, Mr. Beehler’s roles have ranged from also serving on District Strategic Planning Committees to Smaller Learning Communities Achievement Design Committee for Penn High School. Mr. Beehler was nominated and received the Penn High School Distinguished Staff Award in 2010 sponsored by the Penn High School Alumni Association.

This is the second P-H-M location named after Mr. Beehler. The Ticket Center at Everwise Freed Field was named after him in 2017.

Former Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker, along with Board Members Gary Fox and Katie Bell donated the money more recently to name the Board Room after Larry and Judy Beehler as part of the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights campaign.The naming rights will be effective May 18, 2026 and will last for 12 years. 

The mission of the Education Foundation is to develop alternative sources of income to support education initiatives in the School Corporation by strengthening partnerships between the community and the District. PHMEF supports education through awarding innovative teaching grants, scholarships to students, staff development and other corporation-wide initiatives.

Per PHMEF’s naming rights fundraising initiative, 80 percent of the donation will go into the Foundation’s endowment, which will in turn provide alternative and additional funding for various co-curricular and extracurricular programs. The remaining 20 percent directly funds professional development initiatives for P-H-M teachers. Continuing education and training of teachers is a major priority for P-H-M School District.

The Spring 2026 P-H-M Teacher Impact Awards have been delivered. Penn-Harris-Madison celebrated a group of outstanding educators whose students demonstrated exceptional academic growth and achievement across the district. The awards highlight the dedication, innovation, and impact they bring to their classrooms every day.

At Grissom Middle School, Interventionist Christy Zobrosky was recognized for her work supporting Tier 2 math intervention students across 6th, 7th, and 8th grade. In addition to supporting intervention students, Zobrosky also serves as an Instructional Leader, helping strengthen math instruction and student learning across all grade levels at Grissom. Click to see the full photo gallery.

At Discovery Middle School, 7th Grade Language Arts teacher Erin Randolph earned recognition after her students achieved the highest overall growth in the district for Grade 7 ELA from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 3, posting an impressive 84-point growth. Click to see the full photo gallery.

At Schmucker Middle School, 8th Grade Math teacher Anna Turpin was recognized after her students achieved the highest overall growth in the district for Grade 8 Math from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2, also demonstrating an impressive 84-point growth. Click to see the full photo gallery.

Several elementary teachers were also honored for strong student growth and achievement. Moran Elementary 3rd Grade teacher Sarah Schiff was recognized after her students demonstrated exceptional growth in Math from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2, achieving a total growth of 50 points. Click to see the full photo gallery.

At Northpoint Elementary School, 5th Grade teacher Jen Payne earned recognition after her students achieved the highest overall growth in the district for Grade 5 Math from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 3. Her students posted an impressive 133-point growth, outperforming all other Grade 5 Math classes district-wide. Click to see the full photo gallery.

Elsie Rogers Elementary School 4th Grade teacher Allison Simpson was honored after her students demonstrated outstanding growth in ELA from Checkpoint 1 to Checkpoint 2, achieving a 62-point growth. Click to see the full photo gallery.

P-H-M also recognized teachers supporting students beyond traditional classroom roles. Walt Disney Elementary and Elsie Rogers Elementary ENL teacher Mayra Chanon received a Teacher Impact Award for her work supporting multilingual learners at both schools. At Elsie Rogers, 100% of the Grade 2 students she worked with passed IREAD, while 68% of her students at Walt Disney either passed IREAD or are on track to pass next year. Click to see the full photo gallery.

At Penn High School, teachers Martin Ufkin and Megan Buckler were both recognized for student academic growth connected to PSAT/NMSQT and SAT performance. English 11 teacher Martin Ufkin was honored after 61% of his students demonstrated measurable academic growth from the PSAT/NMSQT in October to the SAT in March, the highest percentage among English 11 classes district-wide. Algebra II teacher Megan Buckler was recognized after 79% of students demonstrated measurable growth between the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT, the highest percentage among Algebra II classes across the district.

Click to see the Martin Ufkin photo gallery in Canto.

Click to see the Megan Buckler photo gallery in Canto.

Throughout the spring, Superintendent Dr. Heather Short joined principals at eight schools to surprise each award winner in front of their students and colleagues. 

In February and March, Dr. Short handed out 10 awards to deserving teachers. Click to read.

Click on the links to see previous Impact award winners: 2023, 2024, 2025.

P-H-M thanks the Penn-Harris-Madison Education Foundation for supporting the Teacher Impact Awards and helping recognize excellence in teaching and learning across the district.

Indiana Association of School Principals announced that Grissom Principal Jennifer Sinclair has been named District 2 Middle School Principal of the Year! 

District 2 includes the following counties: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, Marshall, Starke, and LaPorte.

Mrs. Sinclair has been principal of Grissom since 2022. She was named to the South Bend Chamber’s Class of 2023 “Michiana Forty Under 40.” Under her leadership in 2024, Principal Sinclair started the “Fourteen Under 14” program at Grissom molded after “Forty Under 40” as a way to elevate and encourage students.

The winner of the Indiana Middle School Principal of the Year will be announced in November.

Race day for the annual Running is Elementary, sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation, was a little windy, but gorgeous: just enough sunshine, just enough warmth, and the raindrops held off until all the races were over.

This year was one of the biggest yet with 700+ students from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools.

The one mile run is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. 

Fourth and fifth graders are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school then train with the runners for the 6-week club culminating in the one mile race. More than 700 students participated this year!

This picture of two 4th grade runners exemplifies what RIE is all about. 

These two boys were running neck and neck all the way to the finish line vying for first place.

After the race, the Disney boy (dark navy t-shirt) went out of his way to find the Moran runner (pink shirt) so they could take a picture together.

The students being from two different schools had never met before, but in that moment, it didn’t matter.

Running is Elementary not only teaches students about fitness and wellness, it also teaches them sportsmanship, connection and the importance of supporting and celebrating each other!

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! Click to see the list below of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners only for the four races. The list shows finish times listed by bib number and school. Parents should contact their school coach for their child’s specific time.

What makes this event so special is that students are cheered on by their fellow students, families, teachers, running coaches, principals, PHM School Board members and administrators, principals, and other PHM staff members. A photo gallery sample is below, but click here to visit the full photo gallery in the Education Foundation’s Canto photo portal.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 06:49.07, Bib # 244, Northpoint
2. 06:50.53, Bib # 235, Northpoint
3. 07:05.08, Bib # 187, Mary Frank

School Team Rankings:

1. Horizon
2. Mary Frank
3. Northpoint

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 06:14.75, Bib # 597, Northpoint
2. 06:16.06, Bib # 650, Madison
3. 06:29.29, Bib # 590, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Horizon
3. Elm Road

4th Grade Girls Winners

1. 07:06.27, Bib # 62, Horizon
2. 07:30.09, Bib # 31, Elm Road
3. 07:31.47, Bib # 75, Mary Frank

School Team Rankings:

1. Prairie Vista
2. Northpoint
3. Bittersweet

4th Grade Boys Winners:

1. 06:34.34, Bib # 438, Walt Disney
2. 06:34.73, Bib # 392, Moran
3. 06:48.85, Bib # 402, Northpoint

School Team Rankings:

1. Northpoint
2. Bittersweet
3. Elm Road

Here’s a breakdown of the shirt colors:

Thank you to Cindy Batalis (physical education teacher at Mary Frank Elementary School) whose own love for running and her desire to pass that love on is the passion and brain child behind Running is Elementary. Thank you to all the PHM teachers, running coaches, school staff, and Penn Cross Country student-athletes who help out every year, along with P-H-M Education Foudation Board members and volunteers.

Thank you PHMEF and all their amazing sponsors that make this event possible for our students:

• Martin’s donated the post race snacks
• Royal Excursion donated transportation to auxiliary parking lots
• Benchmark Family Services helped PHMEF offset costs
• Culver’s provided gift baskets for a prize drawing
• Kona Ice and Tom’s Coffee did givebacks 
• Attorney Katy Wrona was also a sponsor

Josie Engdahl didn’t think anything of it when she was pulled into a Teacher Leadership Team (TLT) meeting Friday morning to help plan professional development for fellow Meadow’s Edge teachers. But when she returned to her fourth grade classroom, Superintendent Dr. Heather Short was waiting with some unexpected news and the cameras were rolling. Click to watch the video below.

As Engdahl walked through the door, her students cheered and clapped as Dr. Short shared that she had been named Penn-Harris-Madison’s 2026 Elementary Teacher of the Year. The surprise was coordinated by Meadow’s Edge Principal Lindsay Helman-Cass, who arranged for Engdahl to be out of the classroom so the celebration could come together. Click here to see the full photo gallery on Canto.

Now in her sixth year of teaching, including three years at P-H-M, Engdahl is an educator whose instruction prioritizes student engagement through both rigor and creativity. Her classroom reflects a belief that students learn best when they see purpose in their work and have opportunities to actively construct understanding.

A defining example is her interdisciplinary “tiny house” unit, where fourth graders apply mathematics standards for area and perimeter to design scaled floor plans and build three-dimensional models.

Students tackle complex shapes by breaking them into simpler parts, applying multiple strategies, and explaining their thinking using precise mathematical language. The project also integrates writing, collaboration, and presentation, reinforcing both conceptual understanding and communication skills.

“This unit reflects my core beliefs about teaching and learning,” Engdahl said. “Students learn best when they have voice and agency, and when tasks are rich enough to welcome many approaches. Creativity is not extra; it’s what drives persistence and precision.”

Engdahl is a proud P-H-M graduate, having attended Prairie Vista Elementary School, Schmucker Middle School, and Penn High School, where she was a member of the Class of 2016. During her time at Prairie Vista, Dr. Short served as her principal, making this recognition especially meaningful.

“I couldn’t be prouder that Josie chose to go into teaching and that the Selection Committee chose her to represent her fellow elementary teachers,” said Dr. Short. “I remember her as a student who loved being at school and learning; she always had the biggest smile. It’s been incredible to watch her grow into one of our finest teacher leaders and caring educators.”

After earning her degree from Ball State University, Engdahl began her teaching career at Anderson Intermediate School in Anderson, Indiana, where she taught from 2020 to 2023 before returning to her home district. She also returned to the volleyball program as a coach. Engdahl is currently Penn’s Girls Head JV Volleyball coach.

In Engdahl’s first year with P-H-M, she applied for and was selected  for the prestigious Indiana Educator Fellowship for Creative Teachers (FCT), a program of the Indiana Arts Commission (IAC) and the Indiana Department of Education. She was one of just 20 educators statewide chosen to participate in the program, which supports creativity-centered innovation in the classroom. Through a partnership with the South Bend Museum of Art, Engdahl designed lessons that ensure every student can engage with grade-level content while making meaningful connections beyond the classroom. She integrated visual arts into science instruction, allowing students to explore concepts like erosion and fossilization through hands-on work with clay giving them a tangible way to understand scientific processes and engage more deeply with the content. Click more to read about the creative lessons Engdahl did with her students.

“Josie exemplifies what it means to be an educator in Penn-Harris-Madison,” Dr. Short added. “She creates engaging learning experiences while modeling strong teaching for her colleagues. When teachers lead in this way, it strengthens the entire school and benefits every student.”

As a building leader, Engdahl is known for her strength as a relationship-builder and her contributions to school culture. She collaborates with Meadow’s Edge PBIS, Behavior Intervention Team (BIT), and TLT to help cultivate a positive, supportive, and collaborative environment for both students and staff. By helping establish shared expectations and common language across the building, she contributes to a school environment where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.

“This work has fundamentally changed how we approach behavior and support students,” Engdahl said. “School culture is built through structured systems, strong relationships, and a shared commitment to ensuring every child’s success.”

“Josie leads by example,” said Principal Lindsay Helman-Cass. “She listens first to understand what’s working and where support is needed, then helps facilitate meaningful conversations that strengthen instruction. Through her leadership, we’ve seen stronger routines, increased time on task, and improved student outcomes.”

Every Spring P-H-M honors a Secondary Teacher of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Certified Employee of the Year. Penn High School Spanish Teacher Kelley Watts was named the district’s 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year on Thursday April 30, 2026.

All three honorees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner, which will be held this year on Wednesday, May 20th. The two Teachers of the Year will then go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Fall 2026 by the Indiana Department of Education. The PHM Education Foundation awards each Teacher of the Year a $1,000 grant and gift card to the Employee of the Year.

What started as a typical first block this morning in Señora Kelley Watts’ Spanish IV class quickly turned into a surprise party when Spanish teacher Kelley Watts unexpectedly learned that she was being named Penn-Harris-Madison’s 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

With some behind-the-scenes planning by Principal Rachel Fry and Associate Principal Jeanie Mitchell, Watts was called away from her classroom for what she thought was a photo opp with students in Penn’s Main Arena–on the other side of the building away from her classroom. While Watts was being kept busy, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, other P-H-M administrators, and local TV station news crews snuck into Watts’ classroom to get everything in place for the big surprise. Click to see a photo gallery below. Click here to see the full gallery on Canto.

When Watts returned, she was met with applause, cameras, and the big news that she was P-H-M’s  Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Click below to watch the video of the surprise for Señora Watts.

Throughout her career, Watts has demonstrated a deep commitment to student learning, leadership, and building meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. She brings 30 years of teaching experience, including 22 years at Penn High School. In addition to her classroom role, Watts has led student initiatives, including serving as the Kingsmen Against Cancer sponsor for more than eight years. 

She serves as an instructional coach and is an active leader in the P-H-M Teachers Association, where she advocates for both students and staff. As a mentor to fellow educators, she is an example of continuous growth and collaboration. She also serves alongside her husband, Mark, as co-head coach of the Boys Volleyball team, now in its second season. Click here to read a recent article in the South Bend Tribune, featuring the Watts’, about the growth and rise in popularity of boys volleyball as a new IHSAA sanctioned sport.

Teaching and coaching colleague Eric Bowers nominated Watts for the honor. Bowers understands firsthand what it takes to excel in both the classroom and in athletics. Bowers, an AP History teacher and Penn’s Boys and Girls Tennis coach was named P-H-M’s 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

“Kelley has a unique ability to connect with students not only in the classroom, but through opportunities like Spanish Club [which she led in previous years] and now through coaching as well,” Bowers said. “She reaches a wide range of students and creates meaningful relationships that extend beyond the school day.”

Known for her engaging and supportive teaching style, Watts creates learning environments where students feel confident to take risks and grow. One example is her Spanish II “Yelp Review” writing unit, where students progress from foundational language skills to composing six-paragraph essays entirely in Spanish.

“My favorite level of Spanish to teach is Level 2. When they enter my class, they have made the choice to continue learning Spanish, which already reflects a level of commitment,” Watts reflected. “Level 2 of any language is often the most challenging, and I enjoy pushing students to reach levels of learning and understanding that they initially believe are beyond their capabilities.”

Watts has created educational opportunities for her Penn Spanish students to engage in authentic conversations, build global connections, and apply their language skills in real-world settings. Through a month-long cultural exchange experience, she brought Ecuadorian students studying in the United States to Penn to spend several weeks alongside her students, immersing the international students in English instruction and American culture, while also giving her students the opportunity to learn directly from native Spanish speakers and experience authentic cultural exchange.

Principal Rachel Fry said Watts exemplifies the very best of Penn High School.

“Kelley Watts represents what it means to be an exceptional educator,” Fry said. “She builds strong relationships with students, challenges them to achieve at high levels, and creates meaningful learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. Her leadership and commitment to excellence make a lasting impact on our entire school community.”

Watts’ love for language has permeated down to benefit P-H-M’s elementary and middle school students as well. Watts was involved in the creation of P-H-M’s Summer Visual Arts Academy, a week-long summer enrichment program that integrates music, art, and culture. One of the first years the VAA included Spanish language instruction, for which Watts helped develop the curriculum. She’s also been involved with the district’s summer week-long Language Academy camps for elementary and middle school students, with a different language featured each year.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short has seen the impact Watts has on students over the years.

“Kelley’s impact is felt across our entire district,” Dr. Short said. “She is deeply committed to helping students at every level develop a love of language and culture, and she creates meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and connection in all of our learners.” 

Every Spring P-H-M honors a Secondary Teacher of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Certified Employee of the Year. All three honorees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner, which will be held this year on Wednesday, May 20th. The two Teachers of the Year will then go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Fall 2026 by the Indiana Department of Education. The PHM Education Foundation awards each Teacher of the Year a $1,000 grant and gift card to the Employee of the Year.