She began her career as an aide at the middle school and then became a special education teacher there. She was also cheerleading 
sponsor at the middle school before moving to Brownsville to teach high school students. Her colleagues wrote that what is most clear about Cindy Hoskins is her unwavering dedication to putting her students and what’s best for them first in all capacities and regards. Hoskins was honored Thursday as the 49th ever Educator of the Year by the Carmi Kiwanis Club.
Hoskins described herself as shocked and speechless. She called it humbling because as she puts it, “there are a lot of people in our school district and community that do more than I do…but it’s a great honor and I thank you for this. It’s been an honor and my privilege to serve this school system.”
As is customary at the Educator of the Year meeting, school Superintendent Brad Lee gives a report on the state of the school district. He thanked the school board members including President Tom Scates, Kelly Chapman, Andy Acord, Pete Fulkerson, Brent Hammel, Keith Hoskins, and Barb Mitchell. Through cuts and reductions, Lee says there are only 5 building administrators now, down from 8. There are 201 employees within the district, down from 244 five years ago. Couple that with 105 more students, up from 1,300 to 1,405 in five years and Lee says they’re “doing the best we can.” There is still no budget and while Lee calls it unthinkable that lawmakers wouldn’t work something out before FY 2017, it’s possible that if not, the school district would only have enough funding to start the school year and operate for a few months.
Brownsville will graduate 13 this year and 78 Carmi White County High School seniors have received their diplomas. For the first time in recent memory, there are no certified staff retirees this year.
The Carmi Kiwanis Club will be announcing the Corn Day theme soon. Thursday was the deadline for nominations. Madison Botsch was recognized as receiving the Carmi Kiwanis Club scholarship at Awards Day on Monday, May 16th. The club will induct 5 new members in the coming week or two. A preinduction meeting is planned for June 1st.
The full list of Educator of the Year recipients:
1968…Floyd Cotter
1969…John Evers
1970…Beulah Huber
1971…Wave Jamerson
1972…Marie Harrawood
1973…Charles Hortin
1974…Adamae Roosevelt
1975…Faye Mitchell
1976…Mike Croghan
1977…Ernest Fechtig
1978…Dean Hughes
1979…Bill Duncan
1980…Bernice Dartt
1981…Mary Maze
1982…Peggy Huff
1983…Ted Matsel
1984…Larry Busch
1985…Simon Naas
1986…Don Dixon
1987…Ken Hurt
1988…Steve Martin
1989…Steve Bell
1990…Cindy Martin
1991…Trudy Jacobs
1992…Dale Medlin
1993…Don Kittinger
1994…Nancy Gher
1995…Alice Bryant
1996…Don Garrett
1997…Dave Johnson
1998…Betty Brown
1999…Molly Rawlinson
2000…C. Dean Hughes
2001…Kenneth Brown
2002…Dr. Frank Barbre
2003…Jack Russell
2004…Larry Gwaltney
2005…Melanie Allyn
2006…Judy Gaines
2007…Cindy Colman
2008…Cathy Wilkey
2009…Sharon Martin
2010…Sharon Whitsitt
2011…Judy Warrick
2012…Teresa Hon
2013…Terry Gholson
2014…Barbara McArthy
2015…Joan Wallace
2016…Cindy Hoskins
