Two educators who share a passion of working with children have been recognized for their efforts in their classrooms.
Chasidy Aldrich, a kindergarten teacher at Columbus Signature Academy Lincoln Campus, and Kim Bockover, a special education teacher at Schmitt Elementary School, were selected as this year’s recipients of the William and Sally Hanley Excellence in Teaching award, presented to elementary school teachers with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.
Winners receive a $1,000 stipend.
The award, established in 2000, is administered through the Heritage Fund — the Community Foundation of Bartholomew County. The pair of teachers were formally recognized Monday evening during a BCSC school board meeting.
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Chasidy Aldrich
Aldrich, 39, said teaching has always been a calling ever since she was in the second grade. She will begin her fifth year with BCSC this fall and previously taught kindergarten in Louisiana and Texas.
Aldrich, a native of Green Valley, Illinois, said she enjoys seeing her students become excited about learning.
“I love that they’re fun and quirky,” she said. “I love their genuine love of learning at that age.”
She described CSA Lincoln as a school that allows her to be creative with her students while being able to focus on best practices to help them succeed.
Aldrich was nominated by CSA Lincoln principal Brett Findley for her creativity, enthusiasm and dedication to students.
“I know when I enter Mrs. Aldrich’s classroom that I am going to find students immersed in a wide variety of learning stations that are both engaging for the student and thoughtfully planned by Chasidy,” Findley wrote in his nomination. “She is an exceptional educator with a huge heart.”
Aldrich said she is humbled and honored to have received the award.
She is determined to help students make the world a better place, she said.
“I feel like each person has a purpose,” Aldrich said.
She especially enjoys one particular aspect of her job.
“I love the smiles and the hugs I get from my kiddos,” she said.
Kim Bockover
Helping students succeed has also been an important focus for Bockover, who will begin her 32nd year with the school corporation this fall. The BCSC educator, who grew up in Madison, said she always knew she wanted to help children with disabilities.
Her mother’s role as a rehabilitation therapist at Madison State Hospital led Bockover to pursue a career in working with individuals with disabilities, she said.
Bockover, 55, has spent the majority of her career in education at Schmitt, where she has worked for the past 26 years, teaching special education students in kindergarten through sixth grades.
“There are no two years that are identical,” Bockover said. “I try to find fun and creative ways to help them learn.”
Bockover said what she enjoys most about working at Schmitt is the culture that exists, describing it as being a family.
“We support each other personally and professionally, which is nice,” she said.
Schmitt principal Brett Boezeman said he often leans on Bockover for leadership and input at the school.
“Her students know without a doubt she cares for each one of them. Mrs. Bockover spends additional time to develop lifelong relationships,” Boezeman wrote in his nomination letter.
Bockover is a big part of Schmitt both on a personal and professional level, Boezeman said.
“Her greatest skill is empowering kids to believe in themselves,” Boezeman said.
But Bockover doesn’t take all the credit in helping students succeed, saying she considers herself to be fortunate to work with those around her.
“You’re only good as the people you work alongside,” she said. “It really is a team approach with learning from each other.”
Helping students overcome barriers they face — such as learning facts, or having difficulties expressing themselves appropriately — is a focus for the longtime educator. She often reminds students they will face challenges throughout life and that no one is perfect, she said.
“I don’t want them to give up and feel like they can’t do something,” Bockover said.
While she called it an honor to receive the award, Bockover said she doesn’t consider herself to be any more special than any other individual in the school corporation.
“Who I am is because of the people I’ve worked with,” she said. “I’m just passionate about working with kids and helping them become the best they can be.”
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Chasidy Aldrich” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 39
Education: Bachelor’s degree in elementary education from North Central University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Work history: Will begin her fifth year teaching with the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. this fall; she also taught kindergarten with St. Tammany Parish Public Schools in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, where she worked for six years, and the Magnolia Independent School District in Magnolia, Texas, for three years.
Family: Married to husband Matthew; two children, Max and Abby
[sc:pullout-text-end][sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Kim Bockover” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Age: 55
Education: Bachelor’s degree in special education from Ball State University, endorsement in learning disabilities from IUPUI and a master’s degree in special education from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Work history: She has worked for the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp. her entire career and will begin her 32nd year teaching this fall. She has spent 26 years at Schmitt Elementary School.
Family: Married to husband Bruce; son Bryan
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