UE Announces 2024 Outstanding Educator Winners

EVANSVILLE, IND. (04/11/2024) The University of Evansville (UE) proudly honored four outstanding educators in Vanderburgh County with prestigious awards during its 33rd annual ceremony on April 10. Each recipient received a surprise announcement within their school, celebrating their remarkable contributions to education.

Specific to Vanderburgh County, this competition recognizes exemplary classroom teachers and building principals in grades K-12, each possessing a minimum of three years of experience. These esteemed awards are made possible through the generous sponsorship of UE, Evansville Liberty Federal Credit Union, and the Evansville Courier & Press.

Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year: Lindsey Stine

With twelve years of teaching experience, Lindsey Stine has dedicated eight years to West Terrace School, where she currently serves as a fourth-grade classroom teacher. She imparts knowledge across various subjects including Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Writing. Stine’s commitment extends beyond traditional teaching, as she sponsors the Battle of the Books Team and the Student Leadership Committee, fostering student engagement and leadership development within the school community.

Stine’s teaching philosophy focuses on empowering students to be active participants in their academic growth. She states, “My teaching philosophy is to empower students. In the classroom, give students the opportunity to explore a problem or topic before ‘instructing’ them. This helps them to be active in their academic growth/education as well as encourages them to be problem solvers and critical thinkers.”

Her innovative teaching strategies reflect this philosophy, as she utilizes a “Teach Yourself” method to engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking. Stine explains, “Lessons have a certain pattern in my room (especially in Math). I like to teach using my ‘Teach Yourself’ method. We use funny voices and enjoy the wordplay. In more seriousness, I use this to introduce most lessons.”\

Stine’s dedication and impact are echoed in the nomination comments from colleagues and parents. One nomination reads, “Lindsey Stine is a phenomenal educator. I first met her six years ago when she was my daughter’s fourth-grade teacher. As a parent, she communicated well, encouraged my HA student to excel above her level, and was understanding in a couple of difficult social situations.”

Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year: Lindsey O’Brian

With a decade of teaching experience, Lindsey O’Brian has spent seven years as a 6th-grade English/Language Arts teacher, dedicating herself to nurturing students’ literacy skills and holistic development. Despite facing the challenges of a new curriculum this year, she has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, ensuring her students receive the best education possible.

O’Brian’s teaching philosophy centers on creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and capable of growth. She emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with her students, fostering a sense of belonging and confidence in their abilities.

Her strategies reflect this philosophy as she strategically groups students and maintains clear classroom procedures, empowering them to take ownership of their learning journey. Mrs. O’Brian prioritizes growth over achievement, aiming to instill resilience and perseverance in her students.

Recognized for her unwavering dedication, one of O’Brian’s nominators stated, “Mrs. O’Brian runs her classroom with the students being her first priority. She always wants them to succeed to their fullest potential. Her diligence created a LOVE of reading for my now senior.”

Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year: Sally Sternberg

With 23 years of teaching experience, Sally Sternberg has been instrumental in fostering academic excellence and college readiness among high school students for over a decade. As the AVID Elective Teacher and Site Coordinator at Harrison High School, she spearheads initiatives to bridge the opportunity gap and prepare all students for success in a global society.

Embodying the philosophy that “children are the only future we have; teach them well,” Sally prioritizes students’ holistic development, providing a supportive environment where they can thrive academically and personally. Her commitment to building strong relationships with students is evident in her roles as a mentor, advocate, and compassionate listener.

Within the AVID program, Sally implements strategies that promote peer collaboration, student advocacy, and academic rigor, fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment among her students. Through weekly tutorials and college visits, she equips students with the skills and confidence needed to navigate postsecondary education and beyond.

Sally’s impact extends beyond academics, as evident in the heartfelt nominations from her students, highlighting her unwavering dedication and compassionate support. “I nominated Sally Sternburg because she does nothing but love her students. She never gives up on them and will do anything she can to help. She’s a very loving and compassionate teacher and makes coming to school easier for numerous students. I’ve seen her help a numerous amount of students not fail, including students that aren’t even in her class. you really can tell she cares, and it shows.”

Outstanding Building Principal of the Year: Angie Oliver

With over three decades of experience in education, Angie Oliver has demonstrated exceptional leadership as the principal of Glenwood Leadership Academy. Under her guidance, Glenwood has evolved into a supportive learning environment dedicated to the holistic growth of its diverse student body.

Angie’s philosophy of “Growing the WHOLE child through equitable support” underscores her commitment to student success and well-being. She prioritizes building positive relationships with students and staff, fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.

At Glenwood, Angie has implemented initiatives such as the REACH Academy and partnerships with community organizations to provide tailored support to students. Her dedication to teacher well-being and professional development has led to a positive working culture and improved student outcomes.

Oliver’s leadership is characterized by her hands-on approach and unwavering dedication to her school community. She goes above and beyond to ensure every student feels valued and supported, creating a nurturing environment where students can thrive.

Oliver’s leadership at Glenwood Leadership Academy exemplifies a commitment to student success, teacher empowerment, and fostering a positive school culture. “Angie is a light of positivity! She is welcoming to anyone who walks into her building and greets them with open arms. On mornings, she can often be found walking around the school with a speaker hanging from her pocket blasting music, dancing, and getting students and/or staff to dance along with her,” one of Angie’s nominators stated, “GLA and EVSC are lucky to have Angie Oliver working for our students!”