"This is a teacher who rushed to the hospital to be by the side of a student giving birth. This is a teacher who encouraged a student to keep up with schoolwork when he was in juvenile jail. This is a teacher who brought homework to a student recovering from being shot," writes Stephanie Wang in today's Indy Star.
That teacher is Tina Ahlgren '05, who once played clarinet in the DePauw University Band and the Tiger Pep Band, and has been named Indianapolis Public Schools teacher of the year at a recent school assembly.
"Tina, we salute you," said IPS Superintendent Lewis Ferebee according to the story, which also includes video.
Algren's classroom approach is a balance between fun and individual encouragement.
"In her algebra classes, Ahlgren plays 'math-ketball' and challenges students to solve equations in ninja battles," writes Wang. "She dons ski goggles and ski poles — OK, so they're really just rulers that she pretends are poles — and jumps around as she teaches slopes of lines."
"I love Ms. Ahlgren," said student Darious Taylor, who has worked through dyslexia and anger challenges with his teacher. "I wouldn't trade another Algebra II teacher for anything."