16-04-2025
Woodland Elementary and Harrison High teachers selected as TSC Teachers of the Year
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Tippecanoe School Corp. has named Lisa Merryman as the TSC Elementary Teacher of the Year and Kristen Trella as the TSC Secondary Teacher of the Year.
Merryman, a kindergarten teacher at Woodland Elementary School, has garnered over 28 years of experience in education after earning her bachelor's degree from Purdue University.
In a news release, Woodland Elementary Principal Lee Sweet said Merryman's commitment to student success shines in everything she does.
'Her unwavering dedication to students, creative teaching methods and passion for inspiring a love of learning are just a few reasons she deserves this honor,' Sweet said in the release. 'Her peers would say she is knowledgeable, kind and always ready to help. She fosters an environment of collaboration, invites input and shares her expertise generously.'
Merryman extends learning beyond the classroom through meaningful connections with the community, the release said. Partnering with the McCutcheon High School FACS department, Merryman coordinates shared activities around topics like apples, pumpkins and pizza making.
Trella, an English teacher at Harrison High School, has garnered over 25 years of teaching experience after earning her bachelor's degree from Indiana University Northwest and a master's degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Harrison Principal Cory Marshall said in the release Trella has the ability to meet students where they are, helping struggling learners grasp important concepts while also challenging high-achieving students to reach new levels.
'Ms. Trella's classroom is one of constant activities,' Marshall said in the release. 'Her students clearly realize that her classroom is a place of learning and work, but also that enjoyment and fun can come from such activities.'
Beyond the classroom, Trella serves as a travel club sponsor and coach for the girls swimming and diving team, the release said. Earning the NCC Coach of the year award several times, Trella emphasizes character development and community involvement, the release said, by organizing service projects that support the American Red Cross and a local animal shelter.
Merryman and Trella will move forward out of a pool of 19 nominees to represent TSC in the Indiana 2026 Teacherof the Year program.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: TSC selects Woodland, Harrison teachers as 2026 Teachers of the Year
