After graduating from Indiana State University in 1984 with his initial degree in Business Education, Doug Coats continued on to earn a Master of Science in Secondary Education and a Certification in Special Education at IUPUI.  He is also a Cisco Certified Network Instructor and a CompTIA A+ Certified Professional.

Doug started out his career at Edinburgh High School in 1984 teaching Keyboarding, Typewriting, Word Processing, Computer Applications, Office Machines, Advanced Accounting and Office Procedures.  He was also the Business Professionals of America Local Chapter Sponsor.  In 1988, he made the move to Central Nine Career Center in Greenwood, Indiana where he was a Special Needs Liaison and a Computer Technology & Computerized Accounting Instructor.  He also holds the title of being the first technology coordinator for Central Nine.  In 2001, Doug moved to his current position at Pike High School where he teaches a variety of courses including PC Repair and Maintenance, Cisco Academy, Digital Communication Tools, WebPage Design, and Computer Applications.

Not only does Doug have six different preps this year at Pike, but he is also an Academy Leader for Business & IT.  He serves as the Director of the Academy of Finance and is on the District Technology Committee.  He has implemented an on-the-job experience program for his Information Technology students; through this project, he received a Golden Apple Award in 2003.  Doug also serves as a co-sponsor for the Pike Business Professionals of America chapter.

Doug is highly involved at the professional level of business education.  This year he is serving as Chairman of the State Executive Board for Business Professionals of America.  He has also served as the membership chair for the Indiana Business Education Association in the past.  As far as professional memberships go, there are many!  Doug has been a member of IBEA (21 years), NBEA (23 years), ICE, and the Indiana State Teachers Association/National Education Association.

Throughout his teaching career, Doug has served on a number of committees including school improvement teams, technology committees, middle school curriculum, high school curriculum, and advisory boards.  He has also volunteered his time at local churches and fire departments in setting up and maintaining computer equipment.

“With his dedication and involvement in BPA as a chapter advisor and member and current president of the Executive Board, Doug gives his students that something extra, not only in the classroom, but through BPA.”  Betty Hazlett, State Advisor for BPA

“Doug is the consummate professional educator.  He takes on new challenges with vigor and energy and always seems to have time to do ‘just one more thing.’  His passion for students and business & IT education is apparent in his classroom.  He combines a unique sense of humor with expert instruction to give his students the best possible educational experience.  He never complains, is always ready to help fellow staff members, and makes every day an enjoyable and fun experience for students and staff alike.  I am so pleased that he is being recognized as the Outstanding Classroom Educator for he truly deserves this accolade for his dedication, leadership, and expertise as a business & IT teacher.”  Jeanne Burroughs, Business and Information Technology Department Chair, Pike High School

“In this day and age when teaching continues to be more challenging, it is great to know that we have a teacher like Doug who cares about young people, gets involved with student organizations, and knows the importance of professional development in his own life.”  Barbara Beadle, Program Specialist for Indiana Business and Marketing Education

Congratulations Douglas Coats on being named the 2005 IBEA Outstanding Classroom Teacher!

Jason Hendrickson is currently in his third year of teaching at Danville Community High School.  Prior to teaching, Jason received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Education at Indiana State University in 2003.  He is currently working towards his Masters in both Curriculum and Instruction and Career and Technical Education at Indiana State University.

During his three years thus far at Danville Community High School, Jason has become highly involved with its Business Professionals of America chapter as an advisor for two years.  In order to inform Danville students about BPA and why they should join, he was instrumental in creating a marketing video for the organization. 

Tony Johnson

The Executive Board for the Indiana Business Education Association is proud to present this year’s Friend of Business Education Award to Tony Johnson of Thomson Learning.

For many years, Thomson has sponsored our Business and Marketing Education Conference through social gatherings, textbook exhibits, and donations. Tony has upheld this tradition for the past six years.  He has gone above and beyond in his role as sales representative for Indiana; he is always quick to answer any questions by phone or E-mail, which, as we all know, is extremely important during textbook adoption!

Tony received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Ball State University and worked in the Accounting field for seven years in Indianapolis before taking his current position as Sales Representative at Thompson.

The Indiana Business Education Association appreciates everything Tony has done to promote business education in the State of Indiana.  We look forward to his continued support!License, a Legislative representative (since 1991), Past executive board member and officer and Coordinator for Senate Bill 419 and Resolution 41.

Congratulations Tony Johnson for impacting business education in Indiana and we are very honored and proud to name you as the 2006 IBEA Friend of Business Education!