Franklin Community High School teacher Eric Jenkins has been awarded the prestigious title of 2024 Indiana Teacher of the Year by the Indiana Department of Education. Jenkins, who teaches tenth-grade honors/general English/language arts and Indiana University’s Advanced College Project Composition Course W131, expressed his initial reluctance to be in the spotlight, preferring to focus on his students. However, he now sees this recognition as an opportunity to advocate for public education and pay forward the benefits he received as a first-generation college student.
Selected from a pool of over 65,000 teachers statewide, Jenkins’ dedication to his work and his ability to connect with students through active listening have set him apart. He recently represented Indiana at a national event in Washington, D.C., where he celebrated the teaching profession and engaged with educators from across the country.
With a background that includes teaching in Nigeria and Alabama, Jenkins returned to Indiana to continue his career and further his education. His advice to new and future educators is to “teach fearlessly” by prioritizing self-care and seeking support from the community when needed.
As the Indiana Teacher of the Year, Jenkins aims to uplift the voices of teachers and highlight the importance of public education. His journey from a student benefiting from public education to an award-winning teacher serves as an inspiration to educators and students alike.