At Franklin Central, we talk often about Purposeful Learning, Meaningful Collaboration, and Making a Difference. Those aren’t just phrases we use — they are commitments we make to our students every single day. If you want to see those commitments in action, you don’t have to look far. Just step into Carissa Domrase’s classroom.
Carissa has been named a state finalist for the Nextech Computer Science Teacher of the Year Award, presented through the prestigious Mira Awards — Indiana’s largest celebration of technology and innovation. She is one of only four finalists statewide, with the winner to be announced on April 24, 2026. It is a significant recognition, reflecting not only her work but also the Purposeful Learning happening in her classroom every day.
Her schedule alone tells the story. In Website Development, students are not simply learning lines of code; they are building websites from scratch, often for real clients, including staff members. In AP Computer Science, students prepare for the College Board exam while developing advanced problem-solving skills in Java. Later in the day, she shifts into her business courses, including Business Management and Capstone, where students run McCormick’s Café — our student-operated coffee shop. There, students manage marketing, oversee operations, analyze financial reports, and make decisions that have real consequences.
When Carissa began her teaching career at FC, McCormick’s Café had just 16 students in the program. In the last eight years, she has grown it to include 108 students — an incredible example of Purposeful Learning at its most authentic.
What makes Carissa’s classroom unique, however, is not only what students are learning — it is how they are learning it. Her room is built on Meaningful Collaboration. Students work together, problem-solve together, and support one another through challenges. They are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, and refine their thinking in a space where curiosity and questioning are not only welcomed but expected.
That culture of collaboration and high expectations is producing real results. Since she began in 2018, Carissa has led a 164% increase in AP Computer Science A pass rates — now 10% above the state average — and her students have earned 276 dual credits through the courses she teaches.
FC Senior Samuel Valencia shared, “You can talk about almost anything. She isn’t one of those teachers who only wants to talk about what she teaches. She’s open to discussing almost anything both during and after classes.” That openness builds trust, and trust is what allows Meaningful Collaboration to thrive.
FC Senior Bianka Reid explained it this way: “Mrs. Domrase has always been there and willing to explain, even when I had the stupidest questions. She has been a safe space for when I needed help and will continue to be as I grow in the world.” Bianka added, “She creates a safe place and makes me feel very much like I belong.” When students feel that sense of belonging, they are more willing to take risks, ask questions, and engage fully in Purposeful Learning.
The student results are impressive. One Website Development student created a career simulation platform integrating AI to generate real-world workplace scenarios. Another AP Computer Science student designed a mobile-based notification system tied to fire alarms to explore more efficient emergency communication systems. These are not surface-level assignments — they are complex, innovative projects that demonstrate FC students are already Making a Difference in our Flashes community and beyond.
That same culture extends beyond the classroom. As the FC Esports Director and Video Game Club sponsor, Carissa fosters the same environment of Meaningful Collaboration and Purposeful Learning in extracurricular spaces as she does in her classrooms. FC Junior Logan Kincius shared, “Mrs. Domrase always makes each one of her students reach their full potential.” Logan described that she meets each student where they are and is such a positive encourager that she creates a culture of mutual respect among every student on the Esports team and in the Video Game Club, thanks to her positive energy and amazing vibes.
For Carissa, while she is grateful for the recognition, her focus remains on students. “Ultimately, this is about making sure students have the opportunities they need to be successful and to make a difference,” she said. “Being recognized like this helps confirm that we are creating the right kinds of experiences for kids.” She added, “I want to see where they can go with things. It is always really great to see where they will take things.”
That is the heart of Carissa’s deep passion, creating an environment where students can discover their strengths and interests through Purposeful Learning and Meaningful Collaboration. She has had students go on to pursue opportunities at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University, as well as Computer Science and Software Engineering programs at Purdue University. She has also had students graduate from FC and launch their own small businesses in software development, cybersecurity, and more — students who found their passion because of the opportunities they experienced in her classroom.
As we look ahead to the Mira Awards in April, this finalist recognition reflects the excellence of more than one educator. It reflects a learning environment where innovation and Purposeful Learning are expected, Meaningful Collaboration is valued, and students are empowered to grow into individuals who will continue Making a Difference long after they leave Franklin Central.
We are proud of Carissa Domrase, and we are proud of the Purposeful Learning and Meaningful Collaboration happening every day in her classroom and in the teams and clubs she leads — the kind that truly prepares students for the work of Making a Difference in the FTCSC Flashes Community and our world.
Congratulations, Carissa, on being named an Indiana state finalist for Nextech Computer Science Teacher of the Year! We are cheering you on, April 24!
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