Theresa Knipstein Meyer
Theresa Knipstein Meyer is on faculty at Butler University in the College of Education. She graduated from Ball State University with an elementary and special education degree. She did all her graduate work including a director’s license in special education at Indiana University. Theresa mostly works with student teachers and instructs in method classes for special education at Butler. She is also the director of the graduate program for the initial licensing in special education accelerated program.  Professor Meyer speaks often on brain research and retention of teachers in the field. Theresa has been a teacher for over twenty-five years. She was a Digital Age literacy coach in the MSD Lawrence Township in Indianapolis, Indiana. In this role, she supported 34 literacy coaches in 21 buildings (K-12) with 21st century goals and best practices in teaching. Her specialty is working with diverse learners, particularly those students labeled with disabilities.
Professor Meyer has done a lot of work with mentors and beginning teachers in school districts around the state. Professor Meyer completed a two‐year professional leave as a teacher‐in‐residence with the Indiana Department of Education. In this role, she was able to support beginning teachers in the state and work in a variety of ways at the state level.  Professor Meyer presents to educators and administrators on a regular basis about educational issues.  She has consulted with the Children Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana and is very active with the National Milken Educator network, Zionsville Education Foundation, and serving on several other community boards.  Theresa continues to learn and grow from her husband, two daughters and many students who she has had the privilege to instruct.
The President of Butler University's chapter of CEC and Vice President have worked with Theresa since their freshman year, starting by having her as a professor for class, then by having her as the CEC advisor, and now that they’re in student teaching, she is their mentor and friend. They would like to honor her with these comments, “We would like to start off by saying that Theresa is the most life-changing educator we have ever had. Theresa makes every student a priority and will drop whatever she is doing to make sure students' social/emotional needs are met, along with their academic needs. Since our freshman year, she has believed, encouraged, and motivated us by getting to know us personally so that she could recognize our strengths and guide us in reaching our full potential, not only as future educators, but also as people. She welcomed us into her home for a pasta dinner, has sat with us to talk about our personal life struggles, and has taken extra time out of her day to observe us as student teachers and write us constructive observational notes. When Theresa approached us about restarting a CEC chapter at Butler University, we were both new to the profession of education but excited by Theresa's recognition of our leadership potential. Since then, we have worked through the pandemic to create a welcoming and successful CEC community on campus, all with Theresa's support and expertise. Theresa is amazing about helping us make professional connections with the speakers that come in for our monthly meetings. She always furthers our passions and interests within education by aiding us in planning and executing these meetings that are relevant and specific to our professional growth journey. In the classroom setting, Theresa's passions shine through her enthusiasm, and it's obvious to students that she has a big heart, as she is consistently overjoyed about getting the opportunity to teach and learn from future educators in this field. Something that is also unique and awesome about Theresa is how involved she is with her fellow professors. Theresa makes excellent connections across courses and involving CEC, so she is always partnering with other colleagues to facilitate the most productive learning experiences. She invites different classes and professors to our CEC meetings and will coordinate curriculum so that students have the opportunity to dive deeper into what they're learning. She is always thinking in a student-centered mindset and wants students to get as much hands-on experience as possible. I know that Theresa takes so much pride in being a part of inspiring the next generation of educators, and thanks to her involvement in my life, I am so much more confident, knowledgeable, and competent as a young teacher. We honestly can't think of a more deserving educator or person to receive this award. Theresa has inspired and provided so much support to countless people. She truly touches the lives of everyone that she encounters, and we feel so lucky to have gotten to learn from her and get to know her over the past four years.”
It is with great honor that we present Theresa Knipstein Meyer with the 2022 Outstanding Professor of the Year Award.