EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Over a series of Zoom and WebEx conference calls Friday, all four 2020 Outstanding Educator award winners joined their colleagues for what they thought would be regular staff meetings.

To their surprise, the winning nominees were at the center of each meeting. And within minutes, their feelings of joy, disbelief and excitement echoed throughout the virtual gathering after they learned of the recognition.

Typically, award recipients are lauded with celebratory posters and flowers from their students and staff. Instead, given the restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic, friends and family placed small signs in their homes or schools to signal their achievement.

Meet the 2020 Outstanding Educator of the Year winners:

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

As her mother stood behind her recording her reaction, elementary winner Kelsey Simmons was just as shocked her loved ones had been able to keep her award a secret.

“I have some big mouth friends and family on here that have kept this a secret, so I’m really impressed,” she said.

Simmons, a first-grade teacher at Vogel Elementary School, wiped the tears from her face and reflected on the support of her colleagues.

“I’m honored to represent this school, my students, the EVSC and I’m just proud of the work I’ve done, my students have done and my staff have done.”

Since becoming an educator six years ago, Simmons said she’s continued to push her students to become lifelong learners.

Simmons told The Courier & Press last week that she encourages her students to be better learners, listeners, citizens and people each day. Every Monday, she hosts a meeting to ensure each student is meeting their ROCK – respectful, on-task, cooperative and kind – goals to help foster positive relationships with each other.

“My heart is in that classroom,” she said. “I just believe I was put on this world to help young kids, and to make a difference by teaching, growing and learning from them. I hope my passion is something people feel when they come into my classroom.”

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

With a smile that seemed to stretch to the edges of the computer screen, North Jr. High School teacher Noah Farmer did his best to contain his excitement.

“It’s truly an honor to be recognized,” Farmer said. “Everybody around me is doing fantastic work, it feels really great. I thank my colleagues and my administrators for being such wonderful supports for me as well.”

In just three and a half years, Farmer has made his mark as North’s band director, having balanced responsibilities that extend outside the classroom.

In addition to teaching North’s concert, marching and pep bands for grades 5-12, Farmer spends more than 130 hours every summer with the marching band to prepare them for competitions throughout the school year.

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

After being recognized as the top high school teacher in the county, Harrison's Chad Fetscher immediately credited his peers and past mentors as the catalysts for his success – a move his staff knows all too well.

"I don't know, it's still sinking in,” he said. “Usually Harrison faculty, every one of them does amazing things. Nobody cares more… So any person on this screen, you scroll left or right, could easily get this award.”

More than 80 participants joined the virtual celebration, a list that included Fetcher’s family, staff members and EVSC Superintendent David Smith. Through his numerous roles as an educator in his 19 years, the work he's done to invest time in student development is driven by his passion for education.

As a Social Justice and Introduction to Law instructor, Fetscher has focused on building his students' civility, compassion and determination. He pushes them to ask questions, seek answers and recognize the importance of others' humanity, just as his teachers and mentors did for him.

"I made the right choice, Fetscher said. “There were a lot of options for me, but education opened every single door for me. I had great teachers going all the way back to elementary school, and I wanted to do what they did.”

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

Narrowly fighting back tears of excitement, Outstanding Building Principal of the Year winner Theresa Berendes thanked her staff for their hard work. Without them, she said, she wouldn’t have received a nomination – let alone an award.

“They’re my backbone,” Berendes said. “We are a family, an incredible team. We do great things here. I am very honored; I’m humbled.”

Berendes has been an educator for 29 years and 13 years as Resurrection School principal, and says she understands the work that’s required for the role.

“My husband jokes I work ‘half-days,’ 12 hour shifts. It’s wonderful to be recognized, but honestly I would like to accept this award on behalf of all principals, because everyone is deserving, especially during this time.”

Between working 12-hour shifts, Berendes spends countless hours tutoring and mentoring students and encouraging communication between parents and faculty to help forge a sense of community at Resurrection.

The Outstanding Educators of the Year awards are sponsored by the Courier & Press and the University of Evansville. In its 29th year, the awards honor the dedication and contributions of Vanderburgh County K-12 educators at public and nonpublic schools that have at least three years in the profession.