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.

We’re Accepting Applications for the
2026-27 School Year

Click to learn more about P-H-M and why you should join our family.

Penn-Harris-Madison is pleased to be able to offer enrollment to non-resident students on a limited basis for the 2026-27 school year.

Families living in neighboring school districts interested in having their elementary children attend a P-H-M elementary school can apply for that opportunity.

The window to apply for available non-resident seats will open Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. and close on Friday, March 20, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. 

On March 2 at 8:30 a.m., P-H-M will post the schools, grades and number of seats available for the upcoming school year. Families must complete an online application between March 2 – 20.

The NRS application will be posted on www.phmschools.org/non-resident-student-enrollment/ on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 8:30 a.m.

There is no first-come, first-served advantage. 

We’re Accepting Applications for the
2026-27 School Year

Click to learn more about P-H-M and why you should join our family.

At the Monday, November 10, 2025, Board of School Trustees meeting, the Penn-Harris-Madison Board formally approved the 2025–26 teachers’ agreement between the district and the P-H-M Teachers Association. Click here to review it.

“P-H-M is a premier, high-performing school district because of our educators and the academic excellence they provide,” said Superintendent Dr. Heather Short. “This agreement reflects our continued commitment to attract and retain the best teachers for our students and to invest in the people who make our schools thrive.”

Developed through a collaborative process between P-H-M Administration and the P-H-M Teachers Association, the agreement provides an overall base salary increase of approximately 3.45% for teachers. 

The starting salary for new teachers will now be $50,000 (up from $48,370), with the maximum salary increasing to $86,777 (up from $84,204). The salary adjustments are retroactive to July 1, 2025, and extend through June 30, 2026.

Additional highlights of the agreement include:

• A one-time $650 stipend for eligible teachers rated Effective or Highly Effective who served at least 120 school days during the 2024–25 school year.
• A 2% increase in stipends for teachers who coach or lead extracurricular activities, retroactive to the start of the school year.
• A $250 base salary increase for teachers who have earned their Early Literacy Endorsement.

The Board also approved a 3.45% pay increase for classified and administrative employee work groups. 

Employee contributions for the medical insurance premiums will increase a marginal 3%. PHM is moving from a 2-tier to a 4-tier medical plan through our current carrier Anthem. P-H-M will join Anthem’s HealthSync network, offering additional savings to members. The corporation will also provide matching funds for those who choose health insurance Plan “C” in the amount of $600 for Single and $1,200 for the other tiers.

P-H-M’s newest School Trustee Jen Smoker was sworn in Saturday, November 8, 2025 by Board Attorney Jon Rogers.

School Board President Chris Riley and Mrs. Smoker’s family were on hand.

Prior family commitments on November 10th prevent Mrs. Smoker from being sworn in Monday night during the regularly scheduled Board of School Trustees meeting. Mrs. Smoker’s first Board meeting will be Monday, December 8th.

The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees voted unanimously this morning to appoint Mrs. Jennifer (Jen) Smoker to fill the Penn Township Seat #1 vacancy created by the resignation of Matthew Chaffee in early October. 

A long-time resident and active community volunteer, Mrs. Smoker is a dedicated P-H-M parent of four children attending district schools. Her service and advocacy for students and staff have been felt across the district and throughout the greater community.

Mrs. Smoker currently serves on the P-H-M Education Foundation (PHMEF) Board of Directors, where she has chaired the Grants Committee since 2019. In that role, she helps oversee the process of awarding teacher and school grants that enhance learning, spark innovation, and promote excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools. She also supports PHMEF’s fundraising events and community partnerships that benefit students across the district.

Beyond her PHMEF service, Mrs. Smoker is deeply involved in several community organizations. She serves on the Board of Directors for Granger Community Church, where she helps guide strategic planning and budget oversight; chairs the Grissom Middle School PTO Scholarship Committee, which awards scholarships to Penn High School seniors; and previously served as Board Secretary for Jr. Irish Soccer Club and Development Chair for Girls on the Run Michiana. Through these roles, she has combined her love of youth development, leadership, and service—supporting programs that build character, confidence, and connection.

Professionally, Mrs. Smoker brings two decades of business leadership and creative experience. A graduate of Miami University’s Farmer School of Business, she began her career as an Account Executive for major advertising firms in Detroit and Chicago, managing national brands such as Lincoln/Mercury and Quaker Oats. In 2003, she founded and operated CardCare.com, an online greeting card company she successfully led for 20 years.

“Mrs. Smoker’s commitment to servant leadership and her deep connection to our schools make her an outstanding addition to the Board,” said Board President Christopher Riley. “She has demonstrated her heart for P-H-M through years of volunteerism and community involvement and will bring a strong parent perspective to the table.”

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short added, “Jen’s energy, insight, and collaborative leadership reflect the very best of P-H-M’s Triangle of Success—students, teachers, and parents working together. Her service to our schools and community exemplifies P-H-M Excellence.”

Arrangements will be made with the P-H-M Board Attorney for Mrs. Smoker to take her Oath of Office. She will serve through the remainder of the current term, which expires in 2026. She may choose to run for election to the ensuing four-year term in the November 2026 general election.

Mrs. Smoker was chosen from five applicants. The other four candidates were John “Todd” Douthit, Brandon M. Kastner, William “Matt” Ludwig, and Ryan C. Woodruff (click here for their resumes). Public interviews of these applicants took place during a special board meeting held Tuesday, October 28th. President Riley said the decision to fill the vacancy was a difficult one, as all five candidates would have been excellent choices.

Click here for the process the Board of School Trustees followed for filling the vacancies.

Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and district administration presented the tentative teachers’ agreement to the Board of School Trustees during a Special Board Meeting on Monday, November 3, 2025. The meeting provided Board members an opportunity to discuss the tentative agreement and allowed the public to review and comment.

“P-H-M is a premier, high-performing school district because of our educators and the academic excellence they provide,” said Dr. Short. “We want to continue attracting and retaining the best teachers for our students, and this agreement demonstrates our commitment to our staff.”

The tentative agreement, developed through a collaborative effort between P-H-M Administration and the P-H-M Teachers Association, includes an overall base salary increase for teachers of approximately 3.45%.

The starting salary for new teachers will increase to $50,000 (up from $48,370), and the maximum salary will rise to $86,777 (up from $84,204). The School Board will officially approve the agreement at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 10.

Salary increases will be retroactive to July 1, 2025, and will extend through June 30, 2026.

Other highlights of the tentative agreement include:

• A one-time $650 stipend for eligible teachers who were rated Effective or Highly Effective and served at least 120 school days during the 2024–25 school year.
• A 2% increase in stipends for teachers who coach or lead extracurricular activities, retroactive to the start of the school year.
• A $250 base salary increase for teachers who have earned their Early Literacy Endorsement.

Director of Human Resources Bob Thompson also shared details on updates to P-H-M’s health insurance. Employee contributions for medical premiums will increase by a modest 3%. The district is also transitioning from a two-tier to a four-tier medical plan through its current carrier, Anthem, and joining Anthem’s HealthSync network—providing employees with additional cost-saving opportunities when using participating providers.

Again the P-H-M Board of School Trustees will officially vote on the teachers’ agreement, other employee group contracts, and the updated health insurance package at its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, November 10.