INDIANAPOLIS — Ethan Hoffman, a math teacher at the Newcomer Program, was named Indianapolis Public Schools' 2020 Teacher of the Year.
According to a news release from IPS, Hoffman teaches grades 9-through-11 at the Newcomer Program, which serves immigrant and refugee students who are new to the United States, including some who have never attended school.
"Because all of my students are just beginning to learn English, there can be a sense of confusion and despair when looking ahead toward the challenges they face in the future as a result of their lack of language knowledge," Hoffman said. "Through mathematics, my students are able to see the incredible progress they can make through a steady and consistent effort in English language learning."
Hoffman was also unanimously voted as the Newcomer Program's top teacher.
"When you ask students in this school what their favorite subject is, they don't say math, they say Hoffman," Newcomer Program principal Arturo Rodriguez said. "That speaks volumes about the kind of impact he's had on our school. He's not only dedicated in the classroom, but routinely spends his lunch period and time before or after school giving students extra help."
Hoffman, who has taught at the Newcomer Program for three years, will hold the title during the 2019-20 school year.
