Lebanon High School Teacher Receives 2025 Bill Keating Jr. Educator of Excellence Award

Story and photos courtesy of Lindsey Barta, Director of Communications at Lebanon City School District.

LEBANON, OH -- Libby Turpin, Family and Consumer Science teacher at Lebanon High School, received the 2025 Bill Keating Jr. Educator of Excellence Award presented by Magnified Giving. This award recognizes an outstanding educator and Magnified Giving facilitator who goes above and beyond to empower students to become the next generation of philanthropists. The award is named in honor of Bill Keating Jr., a former board member of Magnified Giving known for his kindness, commitment to community, and belief in giving young people a voice.

Turpin’s path to education began as a second career after years spent raising her children and running a home-based business. In 2006, she joined the Guidance Department at Lebanon High School. She later returned to Miami University to complete her bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership, graduating in 2010, and earned her Family and Consumer Science teaching certification through The Ohio State University. In 2012, she was hired at Lebanon High School as an FCS teacher. 

In 2016, Turpin approached her principal with what she has described as “a wild idea” to start a Service-Learning class at Lebanon High School. There was no established curriculum and no formal training, only her belief that students could learn something powerful by engaging directly with the needs of their community. Her principal encouraged her to move forward, and around that same time, Magnified Giving was beginning conversations with Lebanon High School about bringing youth philanthropy to students there. Turpin and Magnified Giving soon connected, beginning a partnership that has now introduced many Lebanon students to the joy of service, advocacy, and grantmaking.

Turpin says the part of facilitating service-learning she loves most is watching service change the lives of young people. In addition to teaching Service-Learning and other Family and Consumer Science courses, she is currently working alongside colleagues at Lebanon High School to develop at least one service-learning project in each subject area across the school. She is passionate about helping other teachers use their curriculum as a starting point for students to identify community needs and discover how classroom learning can become a tool for serving others. 

Her commitment to service extends well beyond the classroom. Turpin’s love for family is at the center of her life, and she treasures time with her husband, Wes, their five children, spouses, and ten grandchildren. Service also runs deep in her family. Her mother, now 90, continues volunteering at Hannah’s Treasure Chest in South Dayton four days a week.

Turpin was honored with the award presented by Francesca Dishueme, a former Lebanon High School student of Turpin’s

Turpin was honored with the award at Magnified Giving’s 2nd Annual Facilitator Appreciation Dinner on March 18, 2026. The award was presented by Francesca Dishueme, a former Lebanon High School student of Turpin’s who now serves in a yearlong Fellowship with Magnified Giving. In presenting the award, Dishueme reflected on the personal impact Turpin had on her life as both an educator and Magnified Giving facilitator. 

“The educator being honored tonight isn’t just someone who partnered with Magnified Giving or helped bring service-learning to students at Lebanon High School,” Dishueme shared. “She is the person who first introduced me to the Magnified Giving program. She is the teacher who encouraged me to think more deeply about my community and the ways I could contribute to it.”

Dishueme continued, “Standing here tonight as a Magnified Giving alumna and Fellow, it is incredibly special for me to help recognize someone who has shaped the lives of so many students, including my own.”

Turpin’s decade-long partnership with Magnified Giving reflects the heart of the Bill Keating Jr. Educator of Excellence Award. Through her creativity, persistence, and deep belief in the potential of young people, she has helped students understand that philanthropy is not reserved for adults with wealth or titles, but is something they can practice right now through their time, talent, and treasure.

About Magnified Giving 

Magnified Giving is a 501(c)(3) educational organization based in Evendale, Ohio, with partner schools and community organizations in greater Cincinnati, central Ohio, northeast Ohio, and northern Kentucky. Magnified Giving’s mission is to educate, inspire, and engage youth in philanthropy, and to touch the hearts and minds of teens, lighten the concerns of others, and magnify the impact of philanthropy. By engaging youth in service, advocacy, and grantmaking, Magnified Giving helps students develop a heart for giving and an understanding of how they can make a difference in their communities. To learn more, please visit www.magnifiedgiving.org. For more information on Magnified Giving, please contact Lindsey Barta at (937) 726-2091 or lindsey@magnifiedgiving.org.

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