Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools has recognized 25 educators as its 2025-26 Teachers of the Year, honoring those selected by their schools and district programs for excellence in the classroom and their impact on students.
Leading this year’s group is Riverside Junior High School math teacher Jordan Teeple, who was recently named the district-wide Teacher of the Year during a special assembly at Riverside. Teeple, a seventh-grade math teacher, was selected from among the building-level winners and 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.
The annual recognition program honors one educator from each of HSE’s 22 schools and three district programs. The honorees were chosen by their school communities from among more than 1,200 educators across the district.
“These teachers represent the very best of what happens in our classrooms every day,” HSE 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 surprised many of the winners at their schools before announcing the district-level honors.
Three educators were selected as finalists for district Teacher of the Year honors:
- Casey Ochieng, English Language Learner (ENL) teacher at Brooks School Elementary, elementary finalist
- Jordan Teeple, seventh-grade math teacher at Riverside Junior High School, intermediate/junior high finalist and district Teacher of the Year
- Lindsay Mahan, social studies teacher at Hamilton Southeastern High School, high school finalist
The complete list of 2025-26 HSE Teachers of the Year includes:
- Brooks School Elementary — Casey Ochieng (ENL)
- Cumberland Road Elementary — Elizabeth James (3rd Grade)
- Deer Creek Elementary — Kelly Hogan (2nd Grade)
- Fall Creek Elementary — Chloe Diedam (FOCUS)
- Fishers Elementary — Lisa Harvey (3rd Grade)
- Geist Elementary — Kelli Caughman (Kindergarten)
- Harrison Parkway Elementary — Brandy Wilkinson (2nd Grade)
- Hoosier Road Elementary — Karissa Mayol (P.E.)
- Lantern Road Elementary — Jennifer Skinner (2nd Grade)
- New Britton Elementary — Audrey Gundersen (4th Grade)
- Sand Creek Elementary — Chelsea Elmore (Kindergarten)
- Southeastern Elementary — Kelly Wolf (3rd Grade)
- Thorpe Creek Elementary — Liza Borgert (Kindergarten)
- Fall Creek Intermediate — Ashley McConnell (5th Grade)
- Riverside Intermediate — Becky Holman (FIATS)
- Sand Creek Intermediate — Jodi Whalen (5th Grade)
- Hamilton Intermediate Junior High — Jill Mockler (5th Grade)
- Fishers Junior High — Michelle Huston (Language Arts)
- Fall Creek Junior High — Brittany Potts (8th Grade Social Studies)
- Hamilton Southeastern Junior High — Adam Brown (Science)
- Riverside Junior High — Jordan Teeple (Math)
- Hamilton Southeastern High School — Lindsay Mahan (Social Studies)
- Fishers High School — Alisa Vaughn (Math)
- ENL Program — Taylor Meador
- Preschool Program — Megan McGee
- FOCUS Program — Andrea Marine
School officials said video spotlights featuring this year’s finalists will be available to highlight their work and the difference they make for students across the district.
The recognition comes as HSE Schools prepares to close the 2025-26 school year, celebrating educators whose work has helped shape student success throughout the district.