Penn High School celebrated students taking the next step toward their futures today with two Signing Day events recognizing members of the Class of 2026 pursuing careers in education and the skilled trades.

Click to see the full photo gallery in the Class of 2026 Photo Poral: https://phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026

This morning, Penn hosted its third annual Teacher Signing Day, a tradition that began with the Class of 2024. Thirteen graduating seniors were recognized for their commitment to majoring in education in college and pursuing careers as future teachers.

The future teachers are guaranteed a job interview with P-H-M upon completion of their education degree and teacher licensure.

The students invited a current P-H-M teacher who played a meaningful role in encouraging their interest in the profession.

And then this afternoon, two more seniors pursuing careers in the skilled trades were recognized in the second Signing Day event.

Patrick Henning signed his commitment to begin an apprenticeship with Local 172 Plumbers and Pipefitters, while Brayden Ruth was recognized for enrolling in the Hobart Institute of Welding Technology’s 10-month welding program.

Local 172 Plumbers and Pipefitters is a valued community partner and a supporter of PHM Education Foundation.

The afternoon event highlighted additional career pathways available to Penn students as they prepare for life after graduation.

Together, the Signing Day celebrations reflected the many pathways Penn students can pursue after graduation.

Below is a sampling of the pictures taken at today’s events. Click to see the full galleries in the Class of 2026 Photo Poral: https://phmexcellence.com/PhotosClassof2026

Penn High School AP Literature Teacher Michael Coffee was surprised in his classroom this afternoon (Tuesday, May 26) with the Jeneane Arter Excellence in Teaching Award, recognizing his lasting impact on students and their educational experiences.

Known for his passion for literature and his commitment to students, Mr. Coffee’s classroom goes beyond the basics of course requirements. Students say his lessons challenge them to think differently, often centered around the idea of “direct your destiny,” a message that resonates far beyond the classroom.

Students nominate their teachers for the Arter award by submitting short essays about how their favorite teacher is impacting their lives.

“The fact that he cares about the subject matter, is that he cares about his students. He wants to see them succeed, and he wants to see them grow,” one student wrote. “After every email, every question, and every conversation one has with Mr. Coffee, you walk away feeling reassured and understood, sure, but you also feel mentally driven. He doesn’t just give you the answer, but he gives you stellar toolbox at finding it.” 

Students consistently describe Mr. Coffee as thoughtful, patient, and deeply invested in their success. Whether through detailed feedback, engaging discussions, or simply making time to help, they say he creates an environment where growth and confidence take hold.

Despite balancing the demands of teaching, grading, and supporting his own family, Coffee brings the same level of energy and dedication to his classroom every day. Students say that commitment is what sets him apart.

Another student who nominated Mr. Coffee shared “There are fun teachers, understanding teachers, and teachers who teach the subject in a manner that gives you a great understanding. Most teachers are at least one. Some have two of these qualities. But rarely does a teacher truly exhibit all three qualities. From the first email I ever received from Mr. Coffee I knew he had all three.”

P-H-M parents and P-H-M Education Foundation supporters Jason and Darla Lippert established the Jeneane Arter Excellence in Teaching Award is named after current Northpoint Elementary 2nd grade teacher Jeneane Arter. Any teacher is eligible for the award. Recipients receive $2,000, a gift from the Lippert Family.

Past Honorees include:

• 2025: Emily Williams, Meadow’s Edge Elementary School
• 2024: Brianne Roy, Schmucker Middle School
• 2023: Lisa Graves, Grissom Middle School
• 2022: Derrick Fairbotham, Penn High School
• 2021: Alexandra Banks, Mary Frank Elementary School
• 2019: Robi Davidson, Walt Disney Elementary School
• 2018:  Diane Bowersox, Penn High School 
• 2017: Jeneane Arter, Northpoint Elementary School

[Show slideshow]

1 2 ... 5 ►

Penn-Harris-Madison Schools is proud to recognize outstanding educators whose instruction leads to meaningful academic growth for students.

The P-H-M Teacher Impact Award celebrates the impact of strong instruction and student dedication. The award is presented each semester to teachers whose students demonstrate the greatest academic growth, highlighting excellence in teaching and learning across the district.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short and Penn High School Principal Rachel Fry surprised two Penn teachers today in their classrooms to recognize their students’ significant growth:

• Martin Ufkin’s English 11 students demonstrated exceptional academic growth from the PSAT/NMSQT in October to the SAT in March. An impressive 61% of his students showed measurable growth between the two assessments, the highest percentage among English 11 classes across the district.

• Algebra II teacher Megan Buckler’s students also showed exceptional growth over that same period. An impressive 79% demonstrated measurable growth, the highest percentage among Algebra II classes across the district.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for providing the beautiful engraved awards that the teachers keep in their classrooms as a reminder of what they and their students accomplished.

Click to see the Martin Ufkin photo gallery in Canto.

Click to see the Megan Buckler photo gallery in Canto.

What started as a typical first block this morning in Señora Kelley Watts’ Spanish IV class quickly turned into a surprise party when Spanish teacher Kelley Watts unexpectedly learned that she was being named Penn-Harris-Madison’s 2026 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

With some behind-the-scenes planning by Principal Rachel Fry and Associate Principal Jeanie Mitchell, Watts was called away from her classroom for what she thought was a photo opp with students in Penn’s Main Arena–on the other side of the building away from her classroom. While Watts was being kept busy, P-H-M Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, other P-H-M administrators, and local TV station news crews snuck into Watts’ classroom to get everything in place for the big surprise. Click to see a photo gallery below. Click here to see the full gallery on Canto.

When Watts returned, she was met with applause, cameras, and the big news that she was P-H-M’s  Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Click below to watch the video of the surprise for Señora Watts.

Throughout her career, Watts has demonstrated a deep commitment to student learning, leadership, and building meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. She brings 30 years of teaching experience, including 22 years at Penn High School. In addition to her classroom role, Watts has led student initiatives, including serving as the Kingsmen Against Cancer sponsor for more than eight years. 

She serves as an instructional coach and is an active leader in the P-H-M Teachers Association, where she advocates for both students and staff. As a mentor to fellow educators, she is an example of continuous growth and collaboration. She also serves alongside her husband, Mark, as co-head coach of the Boys Volleyball team, now in its second season. Click here to read a recent article in the South Bend Tribune, featuring the Watts’, about the growth and rise in popularity of boys volleyball as a new IHSAA sanctioned sport.

Teaching and coaching colleague Eric Bowers nominated Watts for the honor. Bowers understands firsthand what it takes to excel in both the classroom and in athletics. Bowers, an AP History teacher and Penn’s Boys and Girls Tennis coach was named P-H-M’s 2023 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

“Kelley has a unique ability to connect with students not only in the classroom, but through opportunities like Spanish Club [which she led in previous years] and now through coaching as well,” Bowers said. “She reaches a wide range of students and creates meaningful relationships that extend beyond the school day.”

Known for her engaging and supportive teaching style, Watts creates learning environments where students feel confident to take risks and grow. One example is her Spanish II “Yelp Review” writing unit, where students progress from foundational language skills to composing six-paragraph essays entirely in Spanish.

“My favorite level of Spanish to teach is Level 2. When they enter my class, they have made the choice to continue learning Spanish, which already reflects a level of commitment,” Watts reflected. “Level 2 of any language is often the most challenging, and I enjoy pushing students to reach levels of learning and understanding that they initially believe are beyond their capabilities.”

Watts has created educational opportunities for her Penn Spanish students to engage in authentic conversations, build global connections, and apply their language skills in real-world settings. Through a month-long cultural exchange experience, she brought Ecuadorian students studying in the United States to Penn to spend several weeks alongside her students, immersing the international students in English instruction and American culture, while also giving her students the opportunity to learn directly from native Spanish speakers and experience authentic cultural exchange.

Principal Rachel Fry said Watts exemplifies the very best of Penn High School.

“Kelley Watts represents what it means to be an exceptional educator,” Fry said. “She builds strong relationships with students, challenges them to achieve at high levels, and creates meaningful learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom. Her leadership and commitment to excellence make a lasting impact on our entire school community.”

Watts’ love for language has permeated down to benefit P-H-M’s elementary and middle school students as well. Watts was involved in the creation of P-H-M’s Summer Visual Arts Academy, a week-long summer enrichment program that integrates music, art, and culture. One of the first years the VAA included Spanish language instruction, for which Watts helped develop the curriculum. She’s also been involved with the district’s summer week-long Language Academy camps for elementary and middle school students, with a different language featured each year.

Superintendent Dr. Heather Short has seen the impact Watts has on students over the years.

“Kelley’s impact is felt across our entire district,” Dr. Short said. “She is deeply committed to helping students at every level develop a love of language and culture, and she creates meaningful learning experiences that inspire curiosity and connection in all of our learners.” 

Every Spring P-H-M honors a Secondary Teacher of the Year, Elementary Teacher of the Year and a Certified Employee of the Year. All three honorees are officially recognized at P-H-M’s annual Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner, which will be held this year on Wednesday, May 20th. The two Teachers of the Year will then go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced Fall 2026 by the Indiana Department of Education. The PHM Education Foundation awards each Teacher of the Year a $1,000 grant and gift card to the Employee of the Year.

We’re Accepting Applications for the
2026-27 School Year

Click to learn more about P-H-M and why you should join our family.

In 2024, Penn High School Robotics Coach Kyle Marsh and students came up with an idea on how to help students with ADHD, on the Autism Spectrum, or who just need help concentrating at school. Their idea was to use 3D printers to create and produce fidget tools for students. The key to making these tools more accessible and quickly available to the elementary students who needed them was to put a 3D printer at all 11 of P-H-M’s elementary schools.

Fortunately, P-H-M teachers and staff members can apply for classroom grants  through the P-H-M Education Foundation to pay for innovative ideas like this. Marsh was awarded a $5,000 grant to bring his idea to fruition. Penn High School students also benefit on this project because Marsh’s Robotics students not only install the 3D printers at the elementary schools, but they also help Marsh manage the project.

This inspiring story was recently featured on WSBT “Operation Education” highlighting the program in action at Elsie Rogers Elementary School where Marsh’s son Cooper attends third grade. Elsie Rogers was highlighted as of P-H-M’s 11 elementary schools with the 3D printers. Click to watch the story below on WSBT’s YouTube channel.

P-H-M’s ENL Department is hosting their annual Community Connections Fair on Saturday, November 1st.

Join us for activities, arts & crafts, food, performances, and to learn about resources in our community. It is completely FREE and all P-H-M families are invited to attend. Click here to see photos on Facebook of past Fairs.

For any families that want to sign up to perform, please click here to fill out the Google form.

P-H-M is hosting a districtwide drug awareness parent and community meeting to help educate P-H-M families and the greater community about the current drug trends attracting teenagers. This valuable information is something all adults should be aware of. This event is open to all Parents/Guardians of all grade levels, K-12, and all families in the community are invited and encouraged to attend.

The session will be led by Tall Cop Says Stop™ contracted educator, Melissa Moore, CPS. Tall Cop Says Stop™ was created by Officer Jermaine Galloway, an Idaho law enforcement officer since 1997. Galloway is regarded as one of America’s top experts in various drug and alcohol trends and specializes in underage drinking and drug enforcement. For more than 15 years, he has trained school administrators and safety personnel in spotting the dangers that threaten teens and the community. Melissa Moore, a 24-year public health experienced professional, who works to advance the mission of Tall Cop Says Stop™ in helping educate parents/guardians and students about the latest deadly effects of so-called recreational drug use.

We hope that P-H-M families and adult members of the community are able to attend this very important education session.

Due to the nature of the discussion, children of any age are not permitted at the parent session the evening of Tuesday, October 21. Moore will present a student focused presentation to Penn students (grades 9-12) during the school day on October 21st and 22nd.

Livestream

Check back on this page for the livestreamed video. It will be embedded in this page: phmexcellence.com/DrugAwareness

Pre-sale tickets for the Mishawaka at Penn Football game are on sale now!

🗓️Friday, Aug. 29

🏈Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

📍Penn’s Everwise/Freed Field

🍔🌭Come early (5:00 – 6:30 p.m.) and enjoy a budget, family friendly meal at the Community Tailgate. Click for more details.

Tickets can be purchased at Penn High School and Mishawaka High School.

If purchasing in person at Penn, enter Door A, which is located on the west side of the building. Upon entering, ask for the Athletic Office. Tickets can be purchased daily from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. until Thursday, Aug. 28. Tickets can be purchased on game day from 9 a.m.- Noon in the Athletic Office.

Tickets are $6 until game day. Game day tickets are $7. These are CASH ONLY transactions!

Click here to purchase tickets online.

Students and Patrons please the graphic below to be aware of the items prohibited from bringing into the Stadium.