Project E honors Susan Julian

Kindergartners in Mrs. Susan Julian's classroom love to learn, says Hazel Dell Principal John Land.

It came as no surprise to many that Mrs. Julian was selected as one of 10 teachers to receive a Project E Excellence in Teaching Awards, given for the first time in the fall of 2000.

"Hazel Dell Elementary School and Noblesville Schools are blessed with outstanding teachers. Mrs. Julian is an example of someone who is dedicated to the teaching profession and is committed to making a difference in the lives of children," Mr. Land told Hazel Dell students, parents, and staff who gathered to honor the award-winning teacher.

Mrs. Julian was one of 10 teachers, chosen from a field of 406 nominees from throughout the state, to receive the award. She received $8,000 for herself, $2,000 for Hazel Dell, a certificate, and a crystal award.

"A lot of people work hard for your education, but the person who has most profound effect on your education is your classroom teachers," Christel DeHaan told students.

The Christel DeHaan Family Foundation funded the 2000 Project E awards with a contribution of $100,000 to honor the 10 recipients. Winners were selected based on their leadership, enthusiasm, knowledge, and skill in teaching.

Mrs. Julian, who has taught for nearly 14 years, all of them in Noblesville, has been a proponent for the developmentally appropriate approach to teaching.

That approach is child centered and allows children to move through activities at their own pace, learning through active exploration, discovery, and interaction with adults, other children, and classroom material.

She worked with other teachers to develop a guide for early childhood educators to assist them in achieving greater success with students. The guide, which was distributed to all Indiana elementary schools, uses articles, research, stories, and procedures to suggest ways to improve the total learning environment.

"Mrs. Julian has been a leader in improving kindergarten and primary grade curriculum at the local, state and national levels," said Dave Wallace, assistant superintendent for personnel and programs.

"Mrs. Julian is truly an outstanding educator, not only in Noblesville Schools, but also in the many other school systems that have benefited from her expertise in early childhood education."
Mrs. Julian says she is doing what she loves to do.

"I am so proud to be a teacher and I think teaching is probably one of the most noble professions on earth," Mrs. Julian said, accepting the award from Project E.

"Noblesville Schools has given me incredible opportunities. I have had opportunities to develop professionally, and opportunities to share those experiences with other teachers," she said.

"Come into my classroom or go into any classroom in Noblesville and see all the resources and materials that are available to us to make us good teachers."

In addition to the support of district administrators, Hazel Dell is blessed with a principal who encourages professional growth for teachers, teachers who are dedicated to their profession, and parents who are supportive, she said.

But, she quickly adds, the greatest asset is the children.

"Oh, the lessons I have learned from you!"

Project E is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to improving education. One of its key initiatives is the Project Excellence in Education Teacher Awards program which was launched in the spring of 2000.

Mrs. Julian has received a number of awards in the past, including the Hoosier Educator Award which she shared with Karen Kirby, and Teacher of the Week and Shining Star awards from Indianapolis television stations.