Katie Lanter is focused on implementing effective instructional strategies and maximizing learning outcomes for every student she meets. A seventh grade English Language Arts and reading teacher at South Ripley Junior High School, Lanter leads data analysis discussions among her colleagues, utilizing interim assessment (Clearsight) and state testing (ILEARN) data, then maps students’ progress on the teachers’ “data wall” year-round for easier visual identification of their performance. Further harnessing her targeted instructional approach, Lanter offers an eighth grade reading and creative writing class for high school credit, designed at her hand to prepare students for the rigor of high school. Lanter’s efforts have contributed significantly to consistently positive outcomes in reading and ELA, and seventh grade holds a first place ranking in ELA, reading and writing performance in Southeastern Indiana.
Lanter is dedicated to the betterment and growth of South Ripley Junior High School. In her role as the school improvement team chair, she helped guide the school’s Cognia accreditation process, state STEM certification, and Project Lead the Way Distinguished School recognition. Lanter serves as a grade-level PLC member, mentor teacher and transition team member. As a teacher leader on the transition team, Lanter helped build an instructional framework between the South Ripley Junior High and High School buildings to promote consistency and communication of effective strategies for students’ transition to high school. After the project’s completion, Lanter took part in presenting the data at the Indiana Principals Leadership Institute State Seminar, which was professionally published through Indiana State University.
Extending her support outside of the classroom, Lanter tutors students after-school through the Raider Accountability Program, fundraises donations to benefit local veterans, and sponsors the school’s Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) program, where she advocates for drug and vaping safety and awareness and organizes a schoolwide Red Ribbon Week.
Lanter earned her Bachelor of Science in secondary English education with a minor in classical culture from Ball State University in 2012.
Press Release: Indiana Teacher Katie Lanter Surprised with the "Oscar of Teaching" — a $25,000 Milken Educator Award
