Hebron Educators Honored By Hoosier Legionnaires

INDIANAPOLIS, July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Two Hoosier educators were honored by The American Legion during the 100-000-member veterans' organization's 93rd annual state convention in Indianapolis July 16.

Peg Huber, a 36-year veteran of public education and a second grade teacher at the Hebron Elementary School in Hebron, IN, was named Educator of the Year in the Elementary and Intermediate School category.

Carol Noland, a Special Education Teacher at Hebron High School, also in Hebron, IN, was named Junior-Senior High School Educator of the Year. She has more than 32 years' experience in education, of which 17 have been spent as a Special Education teacher.

Both were selected from among nominees submitted by the Indiana American Legion's 11 statewide districts, and both were sponsored in the competition by Hebron's American Legion Post 190. Each of them received a $1,000 grant for their schools.

Huber began her career as a school secretary and ultimately completed both a BS and MS in Education at Purdue University. "One of the greatest joys in my life," Huber said, "has been to watch 'my kids' become responsible citizens, parents and participants in life careers that contribute to our society and community."

Noland is a pioneer in the use of 'therapy dogs' in dealing with those with special needs. Her partner in special education is Razzle, a mixed breed canine who is a familiar fixture in her classroom.

"I decided to find and train my own therapy dog. Though this seems to be pretty common now, back then (1995) it was basically unheard of to have a dog in the classroom. I started searching for a one-year-old rescue dog who had the right temperament and I found those qualities in Razzle, who I adopted through Mixed Up Mutts."

SOURCE American Legion Department of Indiana