Austin, state honor long-time Hoosier educator and coach

INDIANAPOLIS – Long-time Hoosier educator and coach Timothy Paul Fields today received the Distinguished Hoosier Award from State Rep. Terri Austin (D-Anderson). This award is one of the highest honors someone can receive from the State of Indiana.

Austin presented the award to Fields at his bedside in Pendleton where he is currently receiving around-the-clock hospice care from family due to his declining health.

Austin said, “As a retired educator myself, I understand the critical role my fellow educators play in teaching important lessons about responsibility, discipline, teamwork, and patience to their students. Tim was a dedicated and passionate teacher and coach, who touched the lives of thousands of children in Indiana and made them better for it. I’m proud to present him with one of the highest honors from the State of Indiana.”

Fields was a teacher in schools throughout Hamilton, Henry, and Madison Counties for 26 years – teaching for three years at Pendleton Juvenile Correction Facility from 2003 - 2006 – he officially retired in 2013 after substitute teaching at Westfield Washington Community Schools from 2006 – 2013.  Fields also coached basketball, football, and softball in many of the schools where he taught and coached basketball at the YMCA.

He is a proud father to Ashley, Brandon, and Jennifer and a proud grandfather to Jaxon, Jayden, Kingsley, and Payton.

Retired Sheriff’s Deputy Captain Steve Holtzleiter recommended Fields for the award.