(New Carlisle, IN) - A New Prairie High School teacher is starting the year on a high note. Over the summer, Tonya Aerts won an Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award.

Mrs. Aerts teaches biomedical science and sponsors the Health Occupations Students of America program at New Prairie. She recently oversaw the high school being named the first “Heart Safe School” in the state.

The award was presented by Project Lead the Way, which helps teachers bring real-world skills into the classroom. Aerts was one of 79 teachers across the U.S. to earn the award for this year.