Diocesan Special Needs Teacher Named 2013 Outstanding Educator

Some college students arrive on campus knowing precisely what career they wish to pursue, while others need time to discern their calling. Jamie Broeker, special education instructor at Holy Spirit School in Evansville, fell into the latter group.

“I was undecided about what career I wanted and I went back and forth between a few different things at (the University of Southern Indiana),” said Broeker, who has been named the University of Evansville and Evansville Courier & Press 2013 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

That uncertainty melted away the moment Broeker visited an elementary school classroom as part of one her college courses. “The first time I stepped into a classroom, I totally just felt like, ‘Oh my goodness, this is where I’m supposed to be,” she said.

The Spencer County native has devoted the past 11 years to teaching students with special needs. She spent the first four years at St. Theresa School, Evansville, and the past seven at Holy Spirit.

According to a news release issued by the University of Evansville, Broeker was selected as elementary school teacher of the year because she “rises to the challenge by employing multi-sensory approaches and technologies to engage different learning styles. Above all, (she) focuses on instilling hope in children she teaches, helping them build self-esteem by focusing on what they can do instead of what they can’t.”

In fact, “I can’t” is a forbidden phrase in Broeker’s classroom. This is all part of her relentlessly positive approach to developing her students’ skills as well as their self-esteem.

“Jamie takes students from wherever they’re at in their development and she moves them forward from there,” said Holy Spirit principal David Memmer.            Memmer also noted that Broeker is “an excellent, excellent communicator with parents who goes above and beyond everything she needs to do to meet students’ needs.”

While stepping into that first classroom as a college student was the turning point for Broeker, she also says her mother, LeeAnn Pickerill, also deserves credit. “She was always saying, ‘Oh Jamie, you’d make the best teacher,’” said Broeker.

Broeker said the recognition from UE and the Courier & Press came as a shock.

“As teachers, you go in to give your students the best that you can give them and provide them everything you can to support them and give them the best possibilities,” she said.  “You don’t ever expect any kind of recognition, so this is amazing.”

Assistant Superintendent of Catholic Schools Michelle Priar said Broeker shines both inside and outside of the classroom.

“Not only does she go the extra mile to ensure that all of her students succeed, but she takes time to be a teacher leader in our diocese,” said Priar. “She shares her special education expertise with colleagues and participates on committees that work to serve students and teachers throughout the Evansville Diocese.”