This year we are honored to recognize two distinguished educators, one former and one current.

Mr. Gene Michaels was a highly respected high school business teacher for 32 years, from 1961 to 1993 setting the foundation for countless high performing future business leaders. Interestingly, many of the current and former City Council members were his former students. Through a close relationship between Kiwanis and the Key Club, nearly weekly, Mr. Michaels brought the world into the classroom, giving students real world insights from a wide range of successful business leaders, inspiring students’ future dreams and goals. He was the first coach of the Golf Team from 1962-1990. Gene and Carol’s three kids each spent 13-years in IHS Schools graduating in ‘80, ‘82, and ‘83.

Mr. Mike Gruber has been the Primary School Art Teacher since 2010, teaching each student for one hour per week for five years with his first students now graduating from college. Mr. Gruber’s energy and creativity have exposed students to unprecedented heights through the annual art shows, larger than life murals, the Van Gogh Immersive Room, and the 4th grade Drone Flying Club. For 7 years he was the Middle School Athletic Director. He is the Head Coach of the High School Girls Golf Team and an Assistant Baseball Coach.

Mr. Gruber was selected as the 2024 Northeast Region Outstanding Art Teacher by the Ohio Art Education Association.