The Indiana Department of Education announced its Top 25 finalists for Indiana Teacher of the Year. The finalists include Ellie Minogue, a fourth and fifth grade high ability teacher at Klondike Elementary School.

Minogue is a Purdue University graduate with more than 12 years of experience teaching. Outside the classroom, Minogue is active in school, professional and community organizations. She is an advisor to the student council and a member of the Tippecanoe County Extension Board and the Indiana Association for the Gifted.

Minogue says the best part of teaching is her students. “I really don’t think I could be convinced that there’s anything better than spending six hours a day with a bunch of kids whose favorite things are asking questions about the world,” says Minogue. “I believe that teaching is an art and I am always trying new things to continue to improve.”

The screening committee will now forward the applications from the Top 25 selection committee which will determine the Top 10 later this month.