La Porte Community School Corporation Celebrates Martin Briggs as 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year Finalist

La Porte Community School Corporation is proud to announce that Martin Briggs has been selected as one of seven finalists for the prestigious 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year award, as announced by the Indiana Department of Education on August 15, 2025. Everyone within the La Porte Community School Corporation is incredibly proud of his achievement and grateful for his dedication to our students and community. 

“I am both honored and humbled to be recognized,” said Mr. Briggs. “I’ve worked with countless educators in La Porte, La Porte County, and Purdue Northwest through the years, and I believe this honor reflects on all of them as well. It’s also been a privilege to work with so many great students and families in La Porte. I felt called to the teaching profession years ago, and I still have that passion today. My mission statement has always been to make a positive difference, and I want to continue this mission.” 

A Statewide Honor 

The Indiana Teacher of the Year Program (INTOY) works to inspire, rejuvenate, and celebrate the teaching profession by recognizing outstanding educators from across the state. Being named a finalist places Mr. Briggs among the top educators in Indiana, representing the excellence and dedication that define our teaching staff at La Porte Community School Corporation. 

About the Recognition 

The INTOY award is a lifetime achievement role in education that provides numerous opportunities to celebrate teaching and elevate the teaching profession. As a finalist, Mr. Briggs will participate in the next round of the selection process, including an interview with state education officials. The winner of the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year will be announced following the completion of the selection process. Indiana Teachers of the Year form a network of exceptional educators who continually provide support to the education community throughout their careers. 

Mr. Briggs joins six other exceptional Indiana educators as finalists: 

• Craig Harper (Carmel Clay Schools) 
• Derek Chastain (Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation) 
• Kasey Brubaker (Union County College Corner Joint School District) 
• L.A. High (Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation) 
• Matthew Farrell (Lebanon Community School Corporation) 
• Megan Johnson (Plainfield Community School District) 

A Distinguished Educator 

Mr. Briggs has dedicated an extraordinary 47 years to educating students of the La Porte Community School Corporation, exemplifying excellence in teaching through his innovative approach to education and commitment to student engagement. Groundbreaking educational practices and a profound impact on generations of students have marked his career.

In 2014, Mr. Briggs received the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. This national recognition highlights his exceptional teaching methods and dedication to fostering a deep understanding of mathematics and science education. He is renowned for his hands-on, cross-curricular projects that bring learning to life, including his famous egg drop experiment conducted in partnership with the Center Township Fire Department. 

Mr. Briggs’s influence extends far beyond the classroom and district boundaries. His expertise in conceptual math understanding has taken him internationally, where he has trained teachers in Belize, sharing his pedagogical knowledge and passion for mathematics education on a global scale. This international recognition further demonstrates his standing as an educational leader whose innovative methods are valued worldwide. 

The most powerful testament to Mr. Briggs’s contribution is the lasting influence he has on his students. Amy Jackson, Vice President of the La Porte Community School Corporation School Board and former student of Mr. Briggs, captures this perfectly: “Martin Briggs has quietly dedicated himself to education for over four decades. There is no way to measure the impact he has had on our community, our state, our country, and the world, but I know that my life is better because of all the ways I’ve been able to learn from him.” Jackson, who recently had her daughter in Mr. Briggs’ class, adds, “I witnessed my own child gain exactly what I did as a fourth grader in his class: a love for learning and a belief in herself. Mr. Briggs is, without a doubt, the best teacher I have ever encountered.” 

Slicer Send-Off 

The La Porte Community School Corporation invites you to join our Slicer Send-Off for Mr. Briggs on Wednesday, August 20th, at 4:00 PM at Crichfield Elementary School. Please arrive in the parking lot by 3:45 PM. 

We will send Mr. Briggs off with our well-wishes and support as he heads to Indianapolis on Thursday for his panel interview in the final round of selection for the 2026 Indiana Teacher of the Year. 

Bring signs and celebratory items to line the sidewalks outside the elementary school, including both the drop-off area and the front of the building. Let’s show Mr. Briggs and the entire state how much our community values and supports our phenomenal educators!