Former Avon Students Return to Teach & Lead in the Schools That Shaped Them
Walking the halls of Avon Community Schools, a sense of belonging fills the air. For some students, this feeling of unity runs even deeper. Their teachers once sat in the same classrooms, learning from the same educators and walking the same school grounds. Today, four former Avon students — Kyleigh Baker, Zoe Fossard, Megan Brown and Cordale Hankins — are carrying forward the legacy of those who inspired them, teaching and leading in the district that shaped their own lives.
For Kyleigh Baker, now a seventh grade science teacher at Avon Middle School South, teaching in Avon feels like a full-circle moment. Baker credits her middle and high school science teachers — including Mrs. Koontz, Angie Miller and Mrs. Belton — for sparking her love of science and guiding her path toward a career in education.
“My experience at Avon is 100% the reason I wanted to pursue a career in education,” she says. “I hope my previous teachers see how large an impact they’ve had on me. I wouldn’t be here without their support.”
Similarly, Zoe Fossard, a fourth grade teacher at Willow Elementary, traces her passion for teaching back to her Avon roots. Fossard was inspired at a young age by both her mother, who worked in education, and her own Avon teachers.
She often reflects on her third grade teacher, Mrs. DeHart, whose kindness and dedication shaped her own philosophy.
“She made me want to give my future students the same feeling of being seen, cared for and inspired,” Fossard says.
For Megan Brown, assistant principal at Maple Elementary, her journey began outside Indiana. While studying at Tulane University in New Orleans, she volunteered in under-resourced schools and witnessed firsthand how limited resources could impact a child’s future.
The contrast with her own Avon experience was eye-opening.
“Avon is why I believe in public education,” she says. “I grew up in a community that valued student opportunities, both academically and through extracurriculars. Now I get the chance to help shape those same experiences for today’s kids.”
Cordale Hankins, a music teacher at Evergreen Elementary, also credits his Avon education for pointing him toward a career in teaching. Influenced by choir directors Rick Gamble and Leah Trigg, he discovered a passion for music education that he now shares with his students.
“Being part of Avon’s award-winning performing arts programs shaped not only my passion for education, but also my appreciation for the power of creativity and community,” Hankins says.
Returning to Avon as educators has given each of them a new appreciation for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.
“As a student, I didn’t realize how many people across the corporation work so hard to make a smooth school year possible,” Baker says. “There are so many talented people playing large roles behind the scenes.”
Fossard agrees, saying she now sees the importance of teamwork and planning that extend far beyond the classroom.
“As a student, I focused on my own experiences and friendships,” she says. “Now, I see how much dedication it takes from the entire staff to create that environment.”
Brown shaped her perspective through her experience working in urban schools across the country. After witnessing the challenges faced in those environments, she appreciates the intentional, student-centered choices that Avon makes.
“It feels really special to be back in a community that truly prioritizes what matters most — the students,” she says.
Hankins says teaching in Avon highlights the district’s supportive, diverse and uplifting culture, which fosters growth for both students and educators.
Now, as teachers and administrators, they aim to provide their students with the same opportunities for growth and discovery. Baker says she strives to create a classroom where everyone is welcome and encouraged to learn. Fossard says she wants her students and their families to feel connected to school and confident that it’s a place where their children are supported and celebrated.
Brown says she focuses on building strong relationships with staff, students and families to foster trust and collaboration.
Hankins says he sees music as a way to not only teach skills but also nurture creativity, confidence and collaboration.
For all four educators, returning to Avon means more than just a job. It’s about giving back to the community that has given them so much. Their personal connections to Avon shape the way they teach, lead and build relationships.
“I want families and students to know I value their voices, that I see them and that I’m here to partner with them,” Fossard says.
Brown says her Avon roots help her connect authentically with students and families.
As they inspire the next generation of Orioles, Baker, Fossard, Brown and Hankins remind us all of the power of education, the importance of community and the lasting impact of those who choose to return home and invest in the future.
