Educator Appreciation Week is celebrated in schools across the country May 3 - 7. However, at Goodwill, we strive to celebrate our educators throughout the entire year.

Earlier this month, the Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation (OEI) announced at the 2021 Teach Indy Educator Awards, that our very own Shannon Brown of Indianapolis Metropolitan High School was named the High School Teacher of the Year! 

When April Mattingly graduated from high school, she had no idea that one of the first places she worked would be her home away from home for the next 20 years.

Lakia Osborne recently became The Excel Center® Regional Director, responsible for the general school operation, performance, academic oversight and direction of our Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana adult high school network. Having worked at Goodwill for nearly a decade, Lakia is well-positioned for success in her new role, as she has a vast amount of expertise of The Excel Center model, previously serving in key positions including school director, project manager and life coach. Read on to learn more about this inspiring leader.

Through education, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is focused on supporting students on a pathway towards better career prospects that lead to economic self-sufficiency and have a multigenerational impact on families.

William presenting a diploma to a graduate of The Excel Center.  

Like thousands of students across the state, Desiree Segraves is graduating from high school in June 2021. However, Desiree is not your typical soon-to-be-graduate. For one thing, she is just 16 years old; she is also mother to her one-year-old son, Kameron.

Theresa Samuels, 33, is a wife, mom, soon-to-be accountant and fervent believer in the power of education. Growing up, however, Theresa’s household did not place much emphasis on the value of schooling.