2025 FWCS Elementary Teacher of the Year
Whitney Young STEAM Early Childhood reading interventionist Dianne Joustra is the 2025 FWCS Elementary Teacher of the Year. Joustra’s education career spans four decades, and she has been in her current position for five years. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in early education. Joustra believes the most critical year of a child's education starts when the child first enters the school doors. “I believe each child's early foundation of skills should be strong enough to garner future learning blocks in order to guarantee future success,” Joustra said. “I am overjoyed to see young children learn to read and finally succeed in a skill that once was challenging. Each day my intent is to make a difference in the overall success of my students.”
2025 FWCS Secondary Teacher of the Year
South Side High School special education teacher Sierra Miranda is the 2025 FWCS Secondary Teacher of the Year. Miranda has worked for FWCS for five years. She creates a supportive and engaging learning environment with a purpose to empower students to reach their full potential and promote an admiration for lifelong learning. “I devote a tremendous amount of time to building relationships with my students so that I have an increased awareness of who they are, where they come from and where they would like to go,” she said. “Being the daughter of a longtime Fort Wayne Community Schools teacher, and an FWCS alum, I am proud to work for this district.”
2025 FWCS Employee of the Year
Ellen Buhr, assistant manager at the Nutrition Process Center, is the 2025 FWCS Employee of the Year. Buhr has worked at Fort Wayne Community Schools for 18 years and has been in her current position for six years. She is an ambassador for FWCS by not only managing meals during the school year but also partnering with community partners to provide meals to children in the community through various programs. “By addressing the nutritional needs of students, we create an optimal environment for learning,” Buhr said. “Recognizing that a healthy body and mind are critical to cognitive development, we are steadfast in our commitment to meeting students' nutritional needs while introducing new flavor profiles, fruits and vegetables into their diets to enhance their overall quality of life.”
The halls of two FWCS middle schools share a unique connection this year. Husband-and-wife team Howard and Lashanda Gates were named the 2025 FWCS Employee of the Year at their respective schools.
Howard serves as treasurer at Memorial Park Middle School, and Lashanda is a dedicated counselor at Kekionga Middle School.
"I have been in education for over 25 years, where I've served in many capacities," Lashanda Gates said. "It brings me great joy when I have students come back to see me and say 'Thank you, Mrs. Gates.' I live for those moments, because it shows me that I am truly making a difference in the lives I touch on a daily basis."
A Jefferson Middle School eighth-grader was selected as the winner of the Fort Wayne Community Schools and Allen County Public Library Student Library Card design contest.
Quinn Kilby’s design is an illustration of an astronaut reading in a colorful galaxy. The creative design will now appear on the newest library cards being distributed to FWCS students.
The new student library cards are part of a partnership between FWCS and the Allen County Public Library to give students more access to educational resources outside of the classroom. Through the ACPL Student Library Card program, students can enjoy free access to books, tutoring services, test preparation materials and digital learning platforms.
The partnership began this spring with a pilot program at Towles Intermediate School and will expand to additional schools during the 2025-26 school year.
Fort Wayne Community Schools has entered into a new partnership with the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne and Champions of Greater Fort Wayne to provide comprehensive before and after school childcare services for elementary students in pre-K through fifth grade. This collaborative effort aims to address the growing need for quality, educationally-focused childcare options for FWCS families.
Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, the YMCA and Champions will provide high-quality childcare services at elementary schools across the district.
Want to join the FWCS team? We're hiring Lifeguards!
Want to get paid to sit by a pool? The Helen P. Brown Natatorium is hiring Lifeguards! These year-round employment opportunities allow us to safely host swim classes, competitions, and more. Morning, afternoon, evening, and weekend hours are available. We will even provide the required training and certification! Visit www.fwcsjobs.org to learn more and apply!
Fort Wayne Community Schools
Email: publicaffairs@fwcs.k12.in.us
Website: fortwayneschools.org
Location: 1200 South Clinton Street, Fort Wayne, IN, 46802, USA
Phone: (260) 467-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/FWCommSchools
Twitter: @FWCommSchools