A Miami County agriculture teacher has been named Indiana Rural Teacher of the Year.
Jim Wildermuth of rural Akron serves as the agriculture teacher and FFA advisor at North Miami High School, where his students have been very successful in a wide variety of career development events. He was nominated for the award by Superintendent Nick Eccles.
Eccles described Wildermuth as "a hands-on teacher who holds his students to high standards and wants them to be the very best they can be." He also described Wildermuth as a compassionate and caring professional who goes above and beyond by helping design learning experiences to best fit each student.
"Not only does Jim engage students during the school day, but he also works endless hours after school and on weekends with his FFA members," Eccles said in his nomination form.
Wildermuth received the award during a school-wide convocation at North Miami High School. Tracy Caddell, who serves as president of the Indiana Rural Education Assn. (REA) and also as superintendent of the Eastern School Corp. in Greentown, said the North Miami FFA advisor will represent Indiana in competition for the national teacher award at the REA convention this fall.
Upon receiving the award, Wildermuth stated, "I view this award as an award for the community and the students because without all their success and dedication this wouldn't be possible."
After the ceremony, Wildermuth was swarmed by students, staff and community members with hugs and handshakes for their beloved teacher.