United Way of Tuscarawas County – President’s Award, 2015
United Way of Tuscarawas County- President's Award, 2021
United Way of Tuscarawas County – Above & Beyond Award, 2021
Tuscarawas County Special Olympics – Spirit of Tuscarawas County Award, 2022
Tuscarawas County Special Olympics – Spirit of Tuscarawas County Award, 2023
Ohio Auditor of State – State Auditor’s Award, 2023
Ohio Auditor of State – State Auditor's Award, 2025 The Education Magazine – The 10 Elite Schools Districts Shaping Education in 2026
Indian Valley High School
Ohio Department of Education – School of Promise, 2013
Ohio Department of Education – High Performing School of Honor, 2013
High Schools That Work – Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Award, 2020 United Way of Tuscarawas County – Above & Beyond Award, 2021
Ohio Department of Education – Purple Star Award, 2022-2025
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce – Purple Star Award, 2025-2028
Indian Valley Middle School
United Way of Tuscarawas County – Above & Beyond Award, 2021
Midvale Elementary School
Ohio Department of Education – School of Promise, 2011
American Red Cross – Outstanding School Award, 2011
United Way of Tuscarawas County – Above & Beyond Award, 2021
National ESEA Distinguished School Award – Invited Applicant, 2023
Port Washington Elementary School
United States Department of Education – National Blue Ribbon School Award, 2003
Ohio Department of Education – School of Promise, 2009
Ohio Department of Education – School of Promise, 2013
United Way of Tuscarawas County – Above & Beyond Award, 2021
Ohio Department of Education – Exemplary High Performing School, 2022
United States Department of Education – National Blue Ribbon School Award, 2022
Ohio Department of Education – Overall 5-Star Award, 2023
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce – Overall 5-Star Award, 2024
Ohio Department of Education & Workforce – Overall 5-Star Award, 2025
Staff Awards
Heidi Baker
Port Washington Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
National Federation of High Schools – Mideast Region Coach of the Year, 2013
Allison Bolon
Head Volleyball Coach
District 5 – Volleyball Coach of the Year, 2023
Dusty Braun
Head Softball Coach
Inter Valley Conference Coach of the Year, 2023
Kayla Burcher
Middle School ELA Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – February Teacher of the Month, 2022
Kristin Burrier
Port Washington Elementary Math Teacher
WTUZ – Teachers Are Tops Award, 2014
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – January Teacher of the Month, 2022
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Outstanding Elementary School Teacher, 2022
Katie (Gress) Carroll
Middle School Art Teacher
Times- Reporter – May Amazing Teacher of the Month, 2019
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Outstanding Middle School Teacher, 2023
Matt Carroll Middle School Intervention Teacher
State Support Team Region 12 – Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator of the Year, 2026
Brent Carter
Middle School Principal
Ohio Middle Level Association – East Regional Principal's Award, 2022
Wendy Chrisman
High School Agricultural Science Teacher
Ohio Vocational Association – Pacesetter Award, 1998
Robert Clarke
High School Principal
High Schools That Work – Leadership Award, 2020
Angie Couts
Port Washington Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – November Teacher of the Month, 2022
Trent Couts
Middle School Social Studies Teacher, Middle School Assistant Principal
WTUZ – Teacher Are Tops Award, 2007
Patty Couts
Port Washington Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2017
Times- Reporter – January Amazing Teacher of the Month, 2018
State Board of Education – Ohio District 9 Teacher of the Year, 2018
State Board of Education – Ohio Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2018
Aaron Davis
High School Social Studies Teacher
Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2024
State Board of Education – Ohio District 8 Teacher of the Year, 2025
Sara Dittfeld
High School Art Teacher
Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition – Teaching Award of Excellence, 2015
National Scholastic Arts – Gold Medal Educator, 2015
Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2016
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2016
State Board of Education – District 9 Teacher of the Year, 2016
Times- Reporter – December Amazing Teacher of the Month, 2016
National Scholastic Arts – Silver Medal Educator, 2017
Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition – Teaching Award of Excellence, 2017
Tuscarawas County – Art Teacher of the Year, 2018
National Scholastic Arts – Silver Medal Educator, 2018
National Scholastic – Gold Medal Portfolio Educator (Top 8 in the USA), 2018
Ohio Governor's Youth Art Exhibition – Teaching Award of Excellence, 2022
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – March Teacher of the Month, 2022
Blair Emler
High School Social Studies Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – December Teacher of the Month, 2021
Katlynn Gilbert
High School Intervention Teacher
State Support Team Region 12 – Outstanding Educator Award, 2024
Melanie Glazer
Middle School & High School Choir Teacher
Tuscarawas County Arts Teacher of the Year, 2023
Jacob Glasgow
Transportation Director & Cafeteria Supervisor
Ohio Association of Pupil Transportation East Region – Lead by Example Award, 2025
Megan Heath
Port Washington Elementary Intervention Teacher
State Support Team Region 12 – Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator of the Year, 2019
Stacie Heck
Midvale Elementary 2nd Grade Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – April Teacher of the Month, 2023
Jodi Hillyer
Secretary & EMIS Coordinator
Ohio High School Athletic Association – Respect the Game Award, 2012
Indian Valley Foundation – Outstanding Service Award, 2026
Michele Host
High School Paraprofessional
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Support Staff Award, 2025
Alisha Hovanick
Port Washington Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – April Teacher of the Month, 2022
Elizabeth Hughes
Elementary STEAM Teacher
Times - Reporter – January Amazing Teacher of the Month, 2020
Daniel Humphrey
Middle School Art Teacher
National Art Education Association – New Professional Art Educator Award, 2014
Teresa Jones
Bus Driver & Cook
Times - Reporter – October Difference Maker of the Month, 2016
Nikki King
Bus Driver
Ohio State Road- EO Association – East Region Rookie of the Year, 2025
Abram Klaserner
Head Boys Track & Field Coach
Inter Valley Conference Coach of the Year, 2025
OHSAA Eastern District Division 2 Coach of the Year, 2025
Keeley Kochman
High School ELA Teacher & School Counselor
Deana LaCroix Indian Valley Middle School Secretary
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Golden Apple Award, 2026
Nancy Lahmers
Midvale Elementary School Head Cook
Times- Reporter – August Difference Maker of the Month, 2017
Matt Lancaster
Head Football Coach
Principals' Athletic Conference – Coach of the Year, 2011, 2015
OHSAA Eastern District – Coach of the Year, 2011, 2017, 2024
Inter Valley Conference South – Coach of the Year, 2017, 2018, 2024, 2025
WTUZ Big Z Sports – Coach of the Year, 2017, 2024
Inter Valley Conference – South Co-Coach of the Year, 2019
Division 4 State of Ohio – Coach of the Year, 2024
Indian Valley Foundation – Larry Holmes Community Service Award, 2025
Bill Love
Athletic Director
Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators – Eastern District Athletic Director of the Year, 2013
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Outstanding Elementary School Teacher, 2026
Kristen Maurer
Midvale Elementary Kindergarten Teacher
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2020
Milken Family Foundation – National Milken Educator Award, 2021
Shannon McComb
Head Baseball Coach
Eastern District Baseball Coaches Association – Hall of Fame, 2023
Inter Valley Conference Coach of the Year, 2022
Danielle McMillen
Middle School Math Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – May Teacher of the Month, 2023
Jimmy McPeek
Middle School Custodian, Head Boys Track & Field Coach
Ohio Middle Level Association – Best Support Staff Award, East Region, 2021
Inter Valley Conference – Coach of the Year, 2023
Debbie Metzger
Middle School ELA Teacher
Ohio Middle Level Education Association – East District Teacher of the Year, 2016
Amy Miller
Middle School Educational Aide
Times - Reporter – May Difference Maker of the Month, 2018
Brice Miller
Head Bowling Coach
Inter Valley Conference Coach of the Year, 2026
Lauren Miller
Middle School Math Teacher
Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2020
Sherry Morrison
Port Washington Elementary School Secretary
Times- Reporter – April Difference Maker of the Month, 2017
Troy Page
Port Washington Elementary School Principal
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Outstanding Building Principal, 2014
Chad Peterman
Midvale Elementary ELA Teacher
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2019
Gretchen Polen
Port Washington Elementary ELA Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – October Teacher of the Month, 2023
Amanda Poletti
Midvale Elementary ELA Teacher
Ohio Lottery Partners in Education – December Teacher of the Month, 2022
Denise Rizor
High School Secretary
Times- Reporter – March Difference Maker of the Month, 2018
Taylor Ryan
High School Agricultural Science Teacher, FFA Advisor
Ohio Farm Bureau – Ohio Ag Educator of the Year Golden Owl Award, 2026
Dave Stiles
High School Agricultural Science Teacher, FFA Advisor
Ohio Farm Bureau – Ohio Ag Educator of the Year Golden Owl Award, 2018
Nick Swaldo
High School Intervention Teacher, Head Wrestling Coach,
Athletic Director/Building & Grounds Supervisor
State Support Team Region 12 – Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator of the Year, 2014
WTUZ – Teachers Are Tops Award, 2014
Principals' Athletic Conference – Coach of the Year, 2016
Inter Valley Conference – Coach of the Year, 2019
Eastern Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators – Horizon Award, 2021
Eastern Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators –
Sportsmanship, Integrity, & Ethics Award, 2022
Jessica Swaldo
Middle School Counselor
Ohio Middle Level Association – East Regional School Counselor's Award, 2022
Kathy Tolan
Midvale Elementary School Teacher
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Educator of the Year, 2009
WTUZ – Teachers Are Tops Award, 2014
Gayle Underwood
Bus Driver
American Red Cross – Hometown Hero Award, 2014
Ryan Vickers
Port Washington Elementary School Custodian
Times- Reporter – December Difference Maker of the Month, 2019
Jeff Wages
District Maintenance
Times- Reporter – February Difference Maker of the Month, 2017
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Support Staff Award, 2020
Twin City Chamber of Commerce – Golden Apple Award, 2023
Dr. Ira Wentworth
Superintendent
Martha Holden Jennings Foundation – Ohio Outstanding Superintendent Award, 2022
Buckeye Association of School Administrators – Region 7 Exemplary Leadership Award, 2022
Indian Valley Foundation – Outstanding Service Award, 2026
Lisa Wolfe
High School ELA Teacher
WTUZ Teachers Are Tops Award, 2014
State Board of Education – District 9 Teacher of the Year, 2018
Coalition of Rural & Appalachian Schools – Recognition for ACT Preparation Program, 2018
