Fairview's Helton honored with Billman Excellence in Teaching Award

Josh Flynn, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·2 min read

May 23—The end of the school year in Cass County comes with a surprise for one teacher: the Cass County Community Foundation's Elizabeth A. Billman Excellence in Teaching Award.

When CCCF President and CEO Deanna Crispin announced the winner Wednesday morning during an awards ceremony at Fairview Elementary, it was second grade teacher Jordan Helton who walked down from the bleachers to accept.

The award honors Elizabeth Billman, a former educator and CCCF board member, and recognizes young teachers who have taught five years or less and are outstanding in the classroom. Teachers are nominated by their school principal. The award committee looks for teachers who have the potential to follow in Billman's footsteps.

"(Helton) is one of the most dedicated teachers I know to serving each and every student and their individual, specific needs," said Fairview Principal Chris Hess. "She's passionate. She's loving. She works so hard and is very self-reflective and analyzes 'Did this work? What can I do different?' She's very in tuned to best practices. She's amazing."

Helton said she was humbled and excited after receiving the award.

"These students are my life and I am so honored to be given this award," she said.

Teaching was a dream delayed for Helton. She went back to school to become a teacher at 31. One of the sparks to set out on her journey was when Hess observed her as a substitute teacher.

"The first time I saw her presence in the classroom as a substitute teacher, I knew that she and I needed to have a serious conversation about her future," Hess said when she nominated Helton. "Simply put, this girl was born to be a teacher."

"I did it as a wife and as a mother and through COVID and am just super glad I made that decision," said Helton.

Helton is in her third year of teaching and has received five excellence awards and the WGU Award for Professional Leadership. She also serves on the Fairview and Logansport Community School Corporation academic committees.

She described her students as the most empathetic and loving little humans she had ever met and said she thought the world of them.

Elizabeth Billman retired from education as principal at Thompson Elementary School, now known as Lewis Cass Elementary. She also taught in the Southeastern School Corporation, beginning her teaching career at Washington Township School. She was a member of the Lewis Cass Alumni Association where she received the Distinguished Service Award. Billman served in the Southeastern School Corporation for 38 years.

She also served 16 years with the Cass County Community Foundation.

The award consists of a $500 stipend for the teacher and a commemorative plaque. A permanent plaque is displayed at the CCCF Office to honor each year's recipient.