STATEHOUSE (May 20, 2026) – State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) recently honored long-time Lafayette English teacher Chuck Herber with the Circle of Corydon Award.
Herber has been a staple and mentor of the Jefferson High School English Department since 1986, where he teaches composition, advanced placement and journalism. After 60 years of teaching, including stints at Rensselaer, Klondike and McCutcheon, Herber plans to retire at the end of this school year.
"Chuck Herber has been a mentor, teacher and supporter to Lafayette-area students for decades," Culp said. "This Circle of Corydon expresses our deep appreciation for all that he has done."
During his time as a teacher, Herber has won several awards, including the Golden Apple Award in 2004, Walmart's Teacher of the Year honor in 2006 and more than 25 teacher appreciation awards. Jefferson High School's student newspaper, The Booster, has won a first-place award from the National Scholastic Press Association for 25 of the 26 years Herber has served as its staff adviser.
The Circle of Corydon Award was established by the governor in 2017 to recognize Hoosiers who have made remarkable contributions to the betterment of Indiana and its people, demonstrating through life and service qualities exemplified by the state’s greatest citizens. This is the only award issued and signed jointly by members of both the executive and legislative branches.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
Photo Caption: State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) (left) presents long-time Lafayette English teacher, Chuck Herber (right), a Circle of Corydon.
