Submitted by HSE Schools
Hamilton Southeastern Schools kicked off Teacher Appreciation Week by celebrating the district’s top educators.
Each year, all 22 schools and three district programs select a Teacher of the Year. From this group, a selection committee reviews the honorees, representing more than 1,200 educators districtwide, to name three level finalists and one HSE District Teacher of the Year.
“These outstanding educators were nominated by their peers for their dedication to academic excellence and for creating classrooms where students feel safe, challenged, and inspired,” HSE Superintendent Pat Mapes said. “Great teaching isn’t just about delivering lessons – it’s about sparking curiosity, building confidence, and forming connections that help students grow in every way. This year’s honorees exemplify those qualities and more. On behalf of HSE, congratulations to each of you on this well-earned recognition.”
District and building administrators helped surprise the level finalists at their schools, and a special assembly was held Monday at Fall Creek Intermediate to announce the 2025 HSE District Teacher of the Year.
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: Dorothy Wellman, fourth grade teacher at Sand Creek Elementary
- Intermediate/Junior High Finalist & HSE District Teacher of the Year: Michael Teal, fifth-grade STEM teacher at Fall Creek Intermediate
- High School Finalist: Matt Dunham, Math Teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School
Teal will now represent HSE Schools in the Indiana Teacher of the Year competition. He also received a $500 award from the Hamilton Southeastern Education Foundation in recognition of his achievement.
Congratulations to all the building-level and program Teachers of the Year for 2024-25. Your dedication, passion, and impact are felt far beyond the classroom.
Teachers of the Year by building
- BSE: Casey Gumina, Resource Teacher
- CRE: Callie Owens, Kindergarten Teacher
- DCE: Erin Kivett, First Grade Teacher
- FCE: Andrea Fenchak, Kindergarten Teacher
- FES: Shelby DeBaun, 2nd Grade Teacher
- GES: Stephanie Kelber, 1st Grade Teacher
- HPE: Bethany Williams, Counselor
- HRE: Kayla Schnaus, 1st Grade Teacher
- LRE: Carrie Billman, Art Teacher
- NBE: Ashley Robinson, Kindergarten Teacher
- SCE: Dorothy Wellman, 4th Grade Teacher
- SES: Lori Cushman, Teacher-Librarian
- TCE: Sarah Griffey, 4th Grade Teacher
- FCI: Michael Teal, 5th Grade STEM Teacher
- RSI: Ann Marie Lotridge, 6th Grade STEM Teacher
- SCI: Ben Waltz, Music Teacher
- HIJ: JoyAnn Boudreau, Teacher-Librarian; Lindsey Bradshaw, 7th Grade Science Teacher
- FCJ: Stephanie Dalton, 7th grade ELA Teacher
- FJH: Jennifer Oskay, Resource Teacher
- RJH: Kelsey Acker, Essential Skills ELA Teacher
- HHS: Matt Dunham, Math Teacher; Amanda Cole, Science Teacher
- FHS: Jessica White, Math Teacher; Andrew Jones, Social Studies Teacher
- HSFA: Mandy Scott, Student Services Coordinator
- PRE: Allison Funk, CFL Teacher
- FOCUS: Brandy McDowell, Junior High Teacher
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