Recognizing the Educators and Leaders Powering Indiana’s STEM Future

Indiana’s students don’t succeed alone—they’re guided, challenged, and inspired by educators and community leaders who open doors and spark ambition. Through the Bridge Builder Award and Teacher of the Year, we honor those making real-world STEM learning possible and impactful, especially for underserved students. Meet the champions helping shape tomorrow’s innovators.

The Bridge Builder Award

The Bridge Builder Award recognizes visionary leaders helping underserved students in Indiana access experiential learning that inspires the pursuit of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.

Selection criteria:

  • Significantly advances STEM education in Indiana and inspires students to excel in STEM fields;

  • Uses innovative ways to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in STEM education and engages underrepresented students;

  • Makes a quantifiable impact on students and the community, including achievements and opportunities for underrepresented individuals in STEM;

  • Inspires others to contribute to STEM education and motivates students to learn in STEM; and

  • Collaborates to ensure the sustainability of STEM programs and initiatives, especially regarding civic activities related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Bridge Builder Award is announced annually, with the recipient receiving a $1,000 grant to be given to the 501 (c) (3) charity of their choice.

2026 Bridge Builder Award Winner: Jennifer Stewart

Jennifer Stewart, STEM teacher at Greenfield Central Schools, has been awarded the 2026 Bridge Builder Award for her exceptional dedication to expanding STEM access for Indiana students.

Stewart has been teaching at Greenfield-Central for 28 years. For the first twenty, she was a language arts and social studies specialist, a department chair, and a mentor to student teachers. Then, in 2018, she stepped up to build a computer science curriculum for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders from scratch, something no one in the district had done before.

She designed and implemented the curriculum herself, wrote grants to fund new programs, and created STEM learning experiences students in her district had never had access to before. She became an assistant robotics coach, guiding her team to state qualifiers in 2022, 2025, and 2026, and then a Unified Robotics Coach, making sure students of all abilities had a place on the team.

A former student described her impact this way: "Her work not only enhances academic learning but also prepares students with the mindset and skills necessary for future success in STEM pathways."

Stewart received the award on the championship floor at Lucas Oil Stadium, recognized in front of nearly 2,000 students and more than 10,000 fans — the first time the Bridge Builder Award was presented at the Indiana Robotics State Championship.

"I am truly honored to receive the Bridge Builder Award from TechPoint Youth," she said. "I have been lucky to have so many wonderful people build bridges for me along the way and encourage me to cross them. Because of them, I get to help build new bridges so more students can explore STEM, try new things, and see that they are truly capable. Whether they love robots, coding, or just figuring out how the world works, STEM is for everyone."

Bridge Builder Award Recipients

Below is a list of our previous Bridge Builder Award winners:

  • 2025 - Chelsey Thompson

  • 2024 - Toni Munguia

  • 2023 - Captain Ryan Lynch

  • 2022 - IUPUI School of Informatics and Computing’s Informatics Diversity Enhanced Workforce (iDEW)

  • 2021 - Professor Carlotta A. Berry

  • 2020 - The STEM Connection

  • 2019 - Stephen J. Dutton

  • 2018 - Jeffrey C. Musgrove, Jr.

  • 2017 - Mark Hill

  • 2016 - Rick Crosslin

  • 2015 - Mayor Gregory A. Ballard

  • 2014 - Robert Kizer

  • 2013 - Tarik & Maya Glenn

  • 2012 - Todd Whitlock

  • 2011 - Don Kent

  • 2010 - Dorothy Crenshaw

  • 2009 - Bill White

  • 2008 - Senator David Ford

  • 2007 - Daniel Kent

  • 2006 - Stefan Anderson

  • 2005 - Frances McCollum

  • 2004 - Community TechLink

  • 2003 - Michael Weisbard

  • 2002 - Rusty Johnson

Celebrate STEM Excellence: TechPoint Youth Teacher of the Year Awards!

Honoring Indiana's STEM Educators who Inspire the Future

Indiana is home to exceptional educators who dedicate their time, talent, and passion to shaping the next generation of innovators, problem solvers, and leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). At TechPoint Youth, we are proud to launch the Indiana Teacher of the Year awards to recognize and celebrate outstanding teachers making a lasting impact in their classrooms and communities.

About the Award

The Indiana Teacher of the Year awards honors educators who:

Implement creative and impactful STEM programs.

  • Foster opportunities for underrepresented students, including females, students of color, and low-income families.

  • Serve as role models, mentors, and advocates for STEM education.

These awards highlight the dedication of teachers who are committed to empowering all students to thrive in a 21st-century world.

2025 Winners

Teacher of the Year—Pat Jarboe, William Tell Elementary

Distinguished Teacher of the Year—Melinda Richardson, Douglas MacArthur Elementary

Special Recognition for Work in STEM—Ryan Mitchell, Hums Elementary, and Lindsey Hall, Mill Creek East Elementary

2024 Winners

Winner—Lisa Haines, Smith Elementary
Runner Up—Rosa Snapp, East Washington Middle School

Why Nominate a Teacher?

This award celebrates educators who:

  • Empower students to explore and excel in STEM.

  • Implement innovative teaching practices both in and outside the classroom.

  • Champion opportunities for students from priority populations, including females, students of color, and low-income families.

Eligibility Requirements:

  • Location: Nominee must be an Indiana educator.

  • Participation: The nominee must have participated in a TechPoint Youth program (e.g., Hour of Code, STEM Mentors, Robotics, VEX GO, Financial Literacy) within the past three years. (Not sure? Reach out to us or check our program list.)

  • Mission Alignment: The nominee’s school or district must have a mission focused on serving priority populations.

  • Focus on STEM: The nominee must demonstrate a commitment to STEM concepts or 21st-century skills in their work.

  • Recommendations: Submit at least two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the nominee’s impact (students, colleagues, administrators, parents, etc.).

We look forward to accepting applications for the 2026 TechPoint Youth Teacher of the Year in Spring 2026.