Indian Hill Primary School has earned a STEM designation, documented $26,000 in outside funding and produced two statewide award-winning teachers, Superintendent Melissa Stewart wrote in a guest column published Oct. 27 in Indian Hill Living.
The kindergarten-through-second-grade school received its STEM designation in 2023, according to Stewart's column. Students have since been recognized as Ohio STEM Learning Network State Challenge finalists.
Two Indian Hill Primary teachers have won awards from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, though the honors are distinct. Jennifer Theiss received the George B. Chapman Jr. Math Teacher of the Year Award in 2023, according to the foundation's award archive. Amy Campa received the Ohio Master Teacher Award of Excellence in 2025, according to Indian Hill school board minutes from May 27, 2025.
In coverage published in June 2023, Theiss told Local 12, "I am passionate about developing confident mathematical thinkers at the youngest level in order to build a strong foundation, but more importantly, a strong LOVE of math."
Stewart's column also noted that the district has documented $26,000 in external funding and support for the primary school. Ohio STEM Learning Network grants, PTO grants and Indian Hill Foundation support have paid for robotics tools, hydroponics equipment, field trips and author visits. The column did not specify whether the figure covers a single year or multiple years.
Beyond the classroom, student-led service projects have collected more than 5,300 pounds of food for Inter Parish Ministry, Stewart wrote. The school's Kids Who Care Club has donated more than 1,800 books to Queen City Book Bank. The column did not specify the time period for either total.
Stewart credited Principal Cash Hayden, whom she described as a former Indian Hill Primary kindergarten student, a "13-Year Club" graduate and a current district parent. Hayden is listed in the May 27, 2025, board minutes as present at that meeting.
A separate five-educator team from the district also earned the 2025 George B. Milbourn Team Teachers Award of Excellence from the Jennings Foundation, according to the same board minutes. The team includes Loni Jackson, Amie Kanzeg, Mari Mileham, Adrienne Scott and Kelly Vaughan.
