Tim Lehman was named Bethany's teacher of the year for 2009-10 during the middle school's 8th grade recognition ceremony.

Tim Lehman works with a student on an innovative map curriculum.Teachers are nominated by parents and students based on seven criteria that include teaching excellence, community and church involvement, and expressing care for individual students. In nomiating Lehman, one student commented, "He challenges us and knows what each of us can do. He is generous in providing individual help." And another added, "Mr. Lehman treats us as people, not just students, and cares about all of us."

Other nominations noted that he is heavily involved in coaching and other extracurricular events, is highly respected by students and parents, and is creative in the classroom--instilling lessons in morality, values, integrity, and pride. A parent said, "Mr. Lehman gets all students involved and often starts discussions relating to what is right and where faith stands amidst it all. He challenges students to defend their personal opinions and faith and helps to get across the point of a lesson in unique and creative ways."

In addition to his excellence in the classroom, Lehman has served as a seminar presenter at national conventions and was named state teacher of the year in 2005 by the Geography Educators Network of Indiana. He continues to value networking with colleagues across the country and sharing innovative ideas that can enhance each others' teaching. During the past two years he participated in a National Geographic summer institute, helping evaluate curriculum that uses maps to help students develop their thought process by learning to synthesize information from maps.