University of Evansville Outstanding Educator Awards

Evansville, IN (05/01/2020) — UE Presents Outstanding Educator of the Year Awards for 2020

On Friday, May 1, four educators in Vanderburgh County were recognized by surprise announcements as Outstanding Educators of the Year during the University of Evansville's 29th annual presentation in the Vanderburgh County schools. The competition recognizes current classroom teachers and building principals in grades K-12 with at least three years of experience. This recognition program is sponsored by UE and the Evansville Courier & Press.

Presented with awards at their schools were:

Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year: Kelsey Simmons, first grade teacher at Vogel Elementary

Kelsey Simmons has been an educator for six years, serving as a first-grade teacher at Vogel Elementary for those years.

Simmons's teaching philosophy focuses on teaching her students to become life-long learners. She accomplishes this by preparing her students not only cognitively, but also emotionally, socially, and creatively. She creates a safe, positive, academically driven environment and welcomes innovation and new ideas from her students.

"Teaching, learning, and growing are my passions. They are the key ideals I hope to pass on to my students," Simmons notes. "While obtaining an education is important, continuing to learn, not only in school but throughout life, is my goal."

Simmons hosts a Morning Meeting for her students each day in order to review their ROCK (respectful, on-task, cooperative, and kind) procedures and to help foster relationship with each other. This allows her students to make connections with each other by sharing about their pets, siblings, etc. She also uses many hands-on and engaging activities in her classroom. Her lessons include a lot of partner work to give students an opportunity to work together respectfully and effectively. From problem solving to building citizenship, Simmons is integral in the development of her students from the moment they enter her classroom.

Simmons comments, "The bottom line for me is that I love my job. I wake up each morning excited and grateful that I get to spend my day learning and growing with my firsties. Each day we become better learners, better listeners, better citizens, and better people, together. I take great pride in all my students because once they enter my room, they enter my heart. All of my 146 students will be a part of my heart forever."

Outstanding Middle School Educator of the Year: Noah Farmer, Middle School teacher at North Jr. High School

Noah Farmer has been a teacher for three and a half years at North Jr. High School. Currently, Farmer is band director teaching concert band, marching band, and pep band for grades 5-12.

As a band director, Farmer has many responsibilities outside of the classroom. He not only teaches but also hires and supervises additional instructional staff as well as oversees the band booster organization made up of parent volunteers. The marching band spends over 130 hours every summer preparing for the competitive season. They travel around the state almost every weekend from September to November for band competitions. The pep and concert bands are equally engaged with performances and contests throughout the year.

"I design every single one of my classes with the goal of students feeling successful by the end of the period," Farmer explains his teaching philosophy. "Through careful planning and understanding of my students' individual abilities, I am able to select daily goals for them that they can achieve with the correct instruction and guidance."

One of the main techniques that Farmer utilizes in his classroom is the idea of "chunking." In this teaching sequence, he has his students hone in on the most difficult measure of the music. They practice this section over and over before looking at the remaining sheet. This allows students to contextualize the stanza and gives them confidence to play the music through from start to finish. He makes sure to end a challenging class with a "full run" of an easier piece of music so that students feel good about their abilities when leaving the classroom.

Farmer wants his students to succeed not only in band but in life. His time spent both in class and at the extracurricular band events allows him to form real relationships with the students. "I think it is important for teachers to make their students feel like they are known and cared for," Farmer says. "I try to be genuine and personable so that they also feel like they know me."

Outstanding High School Educator of the Year: Chad Fetscher, Harrison High School/ Shepard Academy

Chad Fetscher has been a teacher at Harrison High School for 19 years. He teaches Introduction to Social Justice and Introduction to Law.

Fetscher has a true passion for teaching. He invests time and energy into student development, focusing on civility, compassion, and determination. He elaborates, "In my role as a professional educator I have served many roles. If I had to sum my roles into three, they would be an investor in students, the keeper of the keys for their dreams, and someone who hopefully helped make a difference - regardless of how small - in their lives."

Fetscher's classroom has one rule: be a lady or a gentleman always. His classroom fosters an environment of respect. He recognizes that society lacks the ability to recognize someone else's worth and humanity. He wants his students to develop those skills that will allow them to listen and respectfully disagree with others all the while appreciating their worth as a person. "My classroom is one of inquiry. My students know they can ask a question and will not be ridiculed, mocked, or dismissed for wanting to know something," Fetscher explains.

He wants his students to ask questions and seek out solutions. He wants them to love learning. "My students will come to learn many things, but I hope that teaching them to question will allow them to know anything."

Outstanding Building Principal of the Year: Theresa Berendes, Principal of Resurrection School

Theresa Berendes has been an educator for 29 years; this is her 13th year as principal of Resurrection School.

By implementing a house system for the 5th-8th graders, Berendes has enhanced her students' communication abilities and leadership skills as well as encouraged a sense of family and community at Resurrection. Her students also participate in the Amazing Shake Challenge wherein students gain confidence introducing themselves through a firm handshake, eye contact, and clear communication. Younger grades can develop leadership skills through Resurrection's Leader in Me program.

Through these programs, Berendes helps her students connect and grow. "My educational philosophy places the child at the forefront. I believe it is my duty to help each child achieve his/her highest potential academically, spiritually, and emotionally," Berendes explains when asked about her teaching philosophy. She also recognizes, "I cannot do this by myself alone. I believe that I must work to include all staff, parents, and our community to promote the success of each child."

Berendes goes above and beyond to meet the needs of her students. As a teacher, and now as principal of Resurrection School, she has spent countless hours tutoring, mentoring, and inspiring students while also encouraging communication between parents and faculty.

With regards to the spiritual component of her career, Berendes firmly believes she must lead by example. She begins and ends the school day with prayer. Her religious responsibilities include easing the transition of their new pastor, working with teachers to infuse prayer services and masses with relevant content from the outside world that still correlate with the liturgical calendar, and meeting with students to reflect on their behavior. "It is a true blessing to be able to share faith and our Catholic beliefs to every aspect we encounter in the education of our students."