Submitted by Hamilton Southeastern Schools
Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools is recognizing the educators selected as 2025-26 Teachers of the Year for their schools and programs.
Each year, HSE’s 22 schools and three district programs select a Teacher of the Year to honor educators who make a lasting difference for students, colleagues, and school communities. These honorees represent more than 1,200 educators across the district and were selected for their dedication to students, commitment to learning and the positive impact they make each day.
“These teachers represent the very best of what happens in our classrooms every day,” Superintendent Dr. Matt Kegley said. “They build relationships, challenge students to think deeply and create learning environments where students feel supported, capable and ready to grow. Being selected by your school community is a tremendous honor, and I am proud to celebrate each of this year’s recipients.”
District and building administrators helped surprise the level finalists at their schools, and a special assembly was held last Thursday, May 21 at Riverside Junior High to announce the 2026 HSE District Teacher of the Year.
Meet the Honorees
Get to know this year’s finalists through short video spotlights that showcase their passion for teaching and the difference they make every day.
- Elementary Finalist: Casey Ochieng, ENL teacher, Brooks School Elementary
- Intermediate/Junior High Finalist & HSE District Teacher of the Year: Jordan Teeple, seventh-grade math teacher, Riverside Junior High School
- High School Finalist: Lindsay Mahan, Social Studies teacher, Hamilton Southeastern High School
Teeple will now represent HSE Schools in the Indiana Teacher of the Year competition. He also received a $1,000 award from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation in recognition of his achievement.
Casey Ochieng, an ENL teacher at Brooks School Elementary, is this year’s Elementary Finalist. (Photo provided by HSE Schools)
Lindsay Mahan, a Social Studies teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School, is this year’s High School Finalist. (Photo provided by HSE Schools)
Congratulations to all 2025-26 building-level and program Teachers of the Year. Their dedication, passion, and care continue to make a difference across HSE Schools.
- BSE: Casey Ochieng, ENL Teacher
- CRE: Elizabeth James, 3rd Grade Teacher
- DCE: Kelly Hogan, 2nd Grade Teacher
- FCE: Chloe Diedam, FOCUS Teacher
- FES: Lisa Harvey, 3rd Grade Teacher
- GES: Kelli Caughman, Kindergarten Teacher
- HPE: Brandy Wilkinson, 2nd Grade Teacher
- HRE: Karissa Mayol, P.E. Teacher
- LRE: Jennifer Skinner, 2nd Grade Teacher
- NBE: Audrey Gundersen, 4th Grade Teacher
- SCE: Chelsea Elmore, Kindergarten
- SES: Kelly Wolf, 3rd Grade Teacher
- TCE: Liza Borgert, Kindergarten
- FCI: Ashley McConnell, 5th Grade Teacher
- RSI: Becky Holman, FIATS Teacher
- SCI: Jodi Whalen, 5th Grade Teacher
- HIJ: Jill Mockler, 5th Grade Teacher; and Michelle Huston, Language Arts Teacher
- FCJ: Brittany Potts, 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher
- FJH: Adam Brown, Science Teacher
- RJH: Jordan Teeple, Math Teacher
- HHS: Jenifer Young, ENL Teacher; and Lindsay Mahan, Social Studies Teacher
- FHS: Alisa Vaughn, Math Teacher; and Taylor Meador, ENL Teacher
- PRE: Megan McGee
- FOCUS: Andrea Marine
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