School: Towles Intermediate Montessori School

Grades taught: First, second and third

Education: IPFW, associate degree in marketing, bachelor’s degree in elementary education, master’s degree in elementary education

Years teaching: 16

Born: Indianapolis

Raised: Woodburn

Current hometown: Fort Wayne

Family: Single, no children

Last book read: “Shoe-La-La” by Karen Beaumont

Favorite teacher: Mr. David Hoeppner, Woodburn Lutheran School

Favorite class in school: Art

Favorite teaching memory: My favorite teaching memories are when my love of teaching meets the kids’ joy in learning. That’s when the possibilities are endless.

How has teaching changed since you first started? More work to do and less time to do it. Every minute of the day is precious if you want to keep up.

Nominated by: Nicci Graves

Reason for nomination: “Miss Keifer is a wonderful teacher who still shows that rare quality of giving 150 percent of herself to her kids in the classroom. I have been fortunate enough to volunteer in the classroom at least once a week, and I have seen her patience and genuine care for these kids. She handles a classroom of 25 kids with varying needs, both emotionally and educationally, and she does it all with a smile on her face and her heart on her sleeve! We are all better for knowing her, and I often joke I wish I could clone her and have her be my child’s teacher for all 12 years!”