Indianapolis, IN
Indianapolis Public Schools honors two as ‘Teacher of the Year’
![Indianapolis Public Schools honors two as ‘Teacher of the Year’ Indianapolis Public Schools honors two as ‘Teacher of the Year’](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/20/PIND/913d7044-9dc8-4373-9f5f-555cbe1fcbc9-IMG_0111.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Do you need to know a secret?
That was the query Indianapolis Public Faculties Superintendent Aleesia Johnson had for a number of dozen first graders at James Whitcomb Riley Faculty 43 on Friday.
They did, in fact. And it was a fairly large one.
Certainly one of their academics was the most effective elementary faculty trainer in your complete district. They usually have been all about to shock her.
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Moments later, DaMeisha Fleming was being cheered and hugged, surrounded by college students, household and IPS officers gathered within the Faculty 43’s library to inform the first-grade trainer that she was one among two IPS academics chosen because the district’s “Trainer of the Yr.”
“My thoughts is blown,” stated Fleming, who thought she was taking her class to the library for storytime with the superintendent. “It’s really an honor and a privilege to carry such a giant title.”
For the primary time, IPS selected two of its academics as “Trainer of the Yr.” Whereas they have been chosen to characterize completely different elements of the schooling system – one for elementary grades and one for secondary – they’re each working to make the district a extra equitable place for all college students.
For Fleming, meaning strolling into her classroom daily prepared to like her college students, meet them the place they’re and ensure they see themselves represented within the supplies they examine.
“I simply know that I’ve to instill in my college students a way of identification and a way of affection,” she stated. “They arrive right into a classroom the place they’re accepted and appreciated every day.”
For Paige Sjoerdsma, a seventh and eighth grade English trainer at Butler Lab Faculty 55, meaning setting excessive expectations for all of her college students.
“Despite the fact that she’s actual strict, she pushes us to go additional,” stated Willayah Brewer, an eighth-grade scholar at Faculty 55. “She needs us to chase our goals.”
One other eighth-grader, Ausieana Dugan, stated Sjoerdsma by no means provides up on her college students.
“She means lots to me as a result of she pushed me to maintain going,” Dugan stated, “even after I gave up.”
They have been two of dozens of scholars packed within the Faculty 55 library to shock Sjoerdsma on Friday afternoon. Wiping away tears, Sjoerdsma stated she was blown away to stroll right into a room filled with “all of the folks I like and care about.”
The IPS Trainer of the Yr for center and highschool grades, she has had a winding profession that’s about to take her in a brand new path – out of the classroom.
A trainer for 9 years, first on the elementary degree after which at seventh and eighth grades, she’s helped construct out the center faculty applications at each of the district’s Butler lab faculties. Subsequent 12 months, she’ll transfer into a training position that can permit her to assist academics all through the constructing. Nonetheless, she stated, she’s not leaving instructing.
“I will likely be in all the school rooms,” she stated. “I hope to spend virtually all my time in lecture rooms, so I’m actually enthusiastic about that.”
Fleming will likely be again in her first-grade classroom subsequent 12 months, however with even larger plans.
She’s going to increase on her Black Historical past Unit, instructing her younger college students about vital Black figures all year long, quite than simply throughout Black historical past month. Studying modifications throughout that unit, she stated, and he or she needs to construct on the engagement she sees when her college students are studying about those that appear like them.
Fleming stated she submitted for the award not as a result of she does one thing particular, however as a result of she needed recognition for Faculty 43. She’s spent all 5 years of her profession there and thinks it’s a particular place. So, she knew she needed to end placing collectively her portfolio, even after her shedding her father just a few weeks earlier than it was due.
“I actually needed to place our faculty on the map,” she stated, “as a result of I do consider that we do a variety of nice issues right here.”
Name IndyStar schooling reporter Arika Herron at 317-201-5620 or e-mail her at Arika.Herron@indystar.com. Observe her on Twitter: @ArikaHerron.
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Indianapolis, IN
Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts
![Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts Josh Downs expects big jump in second year with the Colts](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/27/AP24162745262753.jpg)
WESTFIELD, Ind. (WISH) — Josh Downs dazzled in the wide receiver footwork drills, making cuts that were on another level compared to the rest of the group.
He rifled his feet through the ladder.
And on Saturday’s practice, him and Anthony Richardson connected for a nice pass and catch down the sideline between two defenders.
Downs has been impressive at training camp and got off to a good start in his first year, hauling in 68 receptions on 771 yards and two touchdowns, but he expects more this year.
“Year one to year two, it’s always been a big jump for me,” Downs said. “High school, college, it was both the same.”
He’s not exaggerating. In his freshman year at North Carolina, he had seven catches for 119 yards. That skyrocketed to 101 receptions for 1,335 yards in his sophomore year. His touchdown count also jumped from three to eight.
Offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter agrees with Downs’ confidence. He’s been impressed with Downs so far at training camp, and thinks he’s learned a lot from his first year in the league.
“Josh (Downs) is going to make the most of that from a route running perspective from a defensive coverage identification perspective,” Cooter said. “Josh (Downs) is primed and ready to have a big camp out here and do some really good things.”
Downs is processing the game better this year. He said he’s not thinking about the route he’s running as he gets set up at the line of scrimmage. Instead, he’s analyzing the defense and determining what coverage they’re in.
Someone that has helped him with this is cornerback Kenny Moore II. Downs considers Moore II to be at the top of his position in the NFL. He said Moore II is really smart and likes to mix it up with Downs when they’re matched up together, disguising whether he’s in man coverage or zone coverage.
Downs says he has the best slot receiver job in the league because he gets to go up against Moore II every day.
Downs has also been building his chemistry with Richardson. It’s now getting to the point where they’re running plays that aren’t in the playbook.
“We’re seeing different plays, it might not be in the playbook,” Downs said. “He’ll (Richardson) be like, ‘hey, JD, do you see this? Do that.’ I’m like, ‘I was thinking the same thing.’”
“I know Anthony (Richardson) trusts me. I trust him. We’re clicking before practice, after practice, even off the field. That’s my dog,” Downs said.
The Colts return to practice on Sunday at Grand Park from 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Indianapolis, IN
PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4
![PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4 PHOTOS | Indy sneakerheads line up for the new Air Jordan 4](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/27/Corporate-2_processed-FB5D0B22-6293-45DB-9942-E7FBA6BE09A9.jpeg)
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Indianapolis, IN
IMPD: No suspect in custody in officer's shooting, but there is no 'ongoing threat'
This article will update.
A police officer was injured in a shooting on the city’s far east side Friday and police were searching late into the night for whoever pulled the trigger.
Police said the event started unfolding shortly after 8:30 p.m. in the 3600 block of North Wittfield Street, near East 36th Street and North Post Road in the city’s Northeastwood neighborhood. The shooting happened after officers responded to the area on a “shots fired” call.
Shortly after the shooting police said the immediate area was not safe and residents were asked to stay inside their homes and avoid the neighborhood. About 11:15 p.m. police said a sweep of the area — including with K-9s — did not surface a suspect, but they did not believe there was an ongoing threat any longer.
Anyone with information or video footage is asked to call 911.
“There’s a lot that we don’t know about this incident. And we’re hopeful that we will learn more later on,” Capt. Shane Foley said during a media briefing at the scene.
The 8-year veteran officer was taken to Eskenazi Hospital in stable condition.
Shortly before 1 a.m., during a briefing at the hospital, Asst. Chief Michael Wooley said a house also was hit by gunfire but no residents were struck. Wooley said no officers fired their weapons and body cameras were activated throughout the situation.
The injured officer suffered gunshot wounds to his abdomen and right arm and was stable after undergoing surgery, Chief Chris Bailey said.
“He is expected to make a full recovery, although (he) is going to be in the hospital for some days,” Bailey added.
Police have not released a description of the suspect in the shooting, who remained at large early Saturday.
“Right now, officers are all over the city, looking for the individual or individuals responsible for what happened,” Bailey said.
Officers will remain in the neighborhood collecting evidence likely past sunrise, he added.
The K9 sweep of the area is complete.
IMPD is not aware of any ongoing threat to the public at this time, however, no suspects are currently in custody.
Media should stage at 36th/N Post Rd just east, but park on the NW corner. https://t.co/Es3zCovZrU
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) July 27, 2024
Second Indianapolis police officer shot this year
This is the second time this year an Indianapolis police officer has been shot. In March an off-duty officer working security at an east side bar on East Washington Street was hit in an exchange of gunfire with at least one suspect. A man who was injured in that shooting died at a local hospital.
The bar where that shooting happened, 11:11 Bar & Grille, located at 9439 E. Washington St., was closed by unanimous vote of the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission.
11:11 Bar & Grille shooting: State shuts down club where 6 people were shot, including off-duty IMPD officer
Bar shooting: Shooting at east side bar injures multiple people including IMPD officer
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis police officer shot. Suspect at large late Friday
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