School corporation names Center Grove Middle School educator as Teacher of the Year
Center Grove Middle School Central 8th grade science teacher, Andrea McCoy, accepted the 2016-17 Center Grove Community School Corporation Teacher of the Year award on May 1. Two weeks later, and she says she is still overwhelmed and humbled by the honor.
“Everybody has been really supportive,” she said. “I feel I work with a great school. I have a really supportive staff. This is such a group effort… I feel I have the ability to put my best foot forward with the support I’ve been given.”
McCoy, originally from Southern Indiana, graduated from Indiana University with a marketing major. She went through a transition to teaching program at the University of Indianapolis. She has taught at Center Grove since 2011, starting as a computer teacher. This is her fourth full year teaching science.
She describes her teaching style as engaging.
“That’s always my goal, to make sure students are engaged,” she said. “I work really hard to switch activities often and keep them interested in the content. My goal is to have them leave every day interested in science and wanting to learn more.”
The Teacher of the Year was chosen by a Franklin College committee. McCoy will receive a $1,000 check to spend on her classroom, and will now represent the school corporation in the Indiana Teacher of the Year competition.
As she concludes the 2016-17 school year, she said she looks forward to what the future has in store as far as her career as an educator.
“I’m always looking forward to what am I going to change for next year, how can I improve, how can I contribute in a different way,” she said. “I feel I work in a great building and corporation where we’re always learning new things. It excites me to try new things.”
Here, learn more about our June Center Grove ICON of the Month, Andrew McCoy.
What do you consider your greatest virtue? Enthusiasm. I try to tackle challenges with a positive attitude and enthusiasm.
What do you most deplore in others? When someone is closed-minded. We can always learn new things.
What do you like most about living in Center Grove? I love the sense of community in Center Grove. The generosity from community members to our schools always amazes me. On a less serious note, I hate driving, so I like living so close to school.
If you had to live anywhere else in the Metro Indianapolis area, where would it be? I would love to live in Lockerbie next to Mass Ave. This relates back to my hate for driving, because I would enjoy being able to walk to the grocery or to dinner.
If you could begin life over, what would you change? I would love to be more spontaneous.
If money were no issue, how would you spend it? Travel the world! My list of places to visit just keeps growing!
What makes you happiest? Being with my family and friends and of course, my puppy.
What is your favorite vacation spot? I love constantly trying somewhere new – new cultures, sights, and of course, the food.
What do you do with idle time? I love to read. Embarrassingly, I really enjoy reading young adult series. I used to say I read them so that I could talk to my students about them, but I think they all know better by now.
What is it that makes you angry? When I feel that I am not being heard or things are not fair.
What do you do to escape from reality? I love to cook. It brings out my inner zen. I love trying new recipes and cookbooks.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband, Grant, makes me laugh every day and is patient with me when I am stressing about something. Can I also say our dog, Cooper? I once had a student confess that she did not even know I was married because I talked about my dog so much. So, I clearly can’t leave him out.
Which living person in Center Grove do you most admire? I am constantly blown away by the dedication and caring attitude of the staff at my school. They put our students first, support one another, and always have the most creative ideas on how to engage students.
What is the quality you like most in a man? Compassion for others and the ability to not take themselves seriously
What is the quality you like most in a woman? Compassion for others and the ability to not take themselves seriously
What is your greatest extravagance? Travel
What are your fears/phobias? My family always says I have “fomo”, the fear of missing out!
What has been the happiest time of your life? I love meeting new people and trying new things, so leaving home and heading to IU was a whole lot of that.
Which talent would you most like to possess? I would love to be able to sing.
What do you most value in your friends? Dependability and humor
Which historical figure do you most admire? Right now, it would be the women recognized in the book/movie Hidden Figures. (Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan) Typically, any female scientist makes my heart happy.
What is your greatest regret? I don’t really believe in regrets. Even the mistakes have provided me with the opportunity to learn and grow. If I HAD to pick something, I would have another dog.
What tenet do you live by? Seek first to understand than to be understood
