Martin Briggs (Photo provided, La Porte Community Schools)
(Photo provided, La Porte Community Schools)
In La Porte, La Porte Community School Corporation says one of their teachers has been selected as one of seven finalists for the prestigious 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year award, as announced by the Indiana Department of Education on August 15, 2025. Martin Briggs has been an educator in the La Porte Community School Corporation for 47 years. “I am both honored and humbled to be recognized,” said Briggs. “I’ve worked with countless educators in La Porte, La Porte County, and Purdue Northwest through the years, and I believe this honor reflects on all of them as well. It’s also been a privilege to work with so many great students and families in La Porte. I felt called to the teaching profession years ago, and I still have that passion today. My mission statement has always been to make a positive difference, and I want to continue this mission.”
As a finalist, Briggs will participate in the next round of the selection process, including an interview with state education officials, a news release said. The winner of the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced following the completion of the selection process. The six other finalists are Craig Harper (Carmel Clay Schools), Derek Chastain (Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation), Kasey Brubaker (Union County College Corner Joint School District), L.A. High (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation), Matthew Farrell (Lebanon Community School Corporation), and Megan Johnson (Plainfield Community School District)
The La Porte Community School Corporation says it is planning a special send-off event on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at 4 PM at Crichfield Elementary School (please arrive in the parking lot by 3:45 PM) ahead of a trip to Indianapolis for his panel interview in the final round of selection for the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year.
