Carmel Schools Name Jim Streisel ‘Teacher of the Year’

Jim Streisel, Carmel Schools' Teacher of the Year

In a surprise ceremony on May 4, Jim Streisel, Carmel High School (CHS) journalism teacher and HiLite newspaper advisor, was announced as the 2011 Stephen A. Backer Teacher of the Year.

Carmel Clay Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Swensson, Susan Backer, and her daughter, Ellie, surprised Streisel and his colleagues by making the announcement at an after-school faculty meeting at CHS. As an additional surprise, the audience included Streisel’s wife, Stacia, and children, Jared and Zachary (pictured right).

“Jim is a perfect example of the dedicated teachers at Carmel Clay Schools,” Dr. Swensson said. “His enthusiasm and leadership provide students with the skills and abilities needed to be successful in college, their career, and life as a whole.”

Streisel, age 39, has worked at Carmel Clay Schools (CCS) for 16 years, received his Bachelor’s degree from Ball State in 1995, and became sponsor of the HiLite newspaper in 2004. Under Streisel’s direction, the HiLite has received the Hoosier Star by the Indiana High School Press Association five times and many of his students have received recognition from organizations throughout the country. Streisel will now represent Carmel Clay Schools in the state Teacher of the Year competition for 2012.

Tony Willis, CHS English teacher and nominator of Streisel, said, “he has incorporated technology into the high school journalism classroom, teaching cutting-edge skills to students as they cover CHS not only in print, but online as well.

Stephen A. Backer Teacher of the Year nominations are made by students, parents, and other staff members to the Carmel Clay School administration starting in January. A selection committee then investigates the nominees and the winner is announced in April. The Carmel Clay Schools Teacher of the Year award is endowed by the Stephen A. Backer Memorial. Throughout his life, Backer was an advocate and supporter of the Carmel Clay Schools. He served on the Carmel Clay School Board of Trustees from 1994 to 1998 and from 2006 until his passing in March 2009. Stephen held the position of school board president for five of those years. The Stephen A. Backer Memorial was started shortly after his passing and continues to receive donations. Donations in support of the Stephen A. Backer Teacher of the Year award can be made through the Carmel Education Foundation. To read about previous CCS Teacher of the Year winners, please visit click here.