EVANSVILLE, IND. (04/09/2025) The University of Evansville (UE) proudly honored four outstanding educators in Vanderburgh County with prestigious awards during its 34th annual ceremony on April 9. 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: Norah Ferguson
Norah Ferguson, a third-grade general education teacher at St. Joseph Catholic School, has been recognized as the Outstanding Elementary Teacher of the Year. With three years of teaching experience, Ferguson creates an engaging, student-centered learning environment where she instructs students in Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, and Religion.
Beyond the classroom, Ferguson demonstrates leadership by founding and leading the Sunshine Committee, creating a positive school culture. She also volunteers as a judge for speech meets, assists with the STEM Club, and provides tutoring for students requiring additional academic support.
Ferguson’s teaching philosophy is rooted in hands-on, project-based learning, encouraging inquiry and collaboration among students. She incorporates innovative teaching strategies, such as classroom transformations that turn math lessons into surgical simulations and book tastings that introduce students to diverse literary genres. Her dedication to student success extends to professional development, including participation in ‘Get Your Teach On’ conferences and completing the Science of Reading program. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Administration and Educational Leadership at the University of Southern Indiana, set to graduate in May.
Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Richie
Stephanie Richie, an eighth-grade English/Language Arts teacher at Thompkins Middle School, has been named the Outstanding Middle School Teacher of the Year. With 23 years of teaching experience-all at Thompkins-Richie has demonstrated unwavering dedication to academic excellence, student engagement, and fostering an inclusive classroom environment.
Richie serves on the school’s Leadership Team and Social/Remembrance Committee and has contributed significantly to extracurricular activities as a longtime coach. She currently serves as Assistant Varsity Girls’ Basketball coach at Central High School and was previously recognized as the IBCA Assistant Coach of the Year for Evansville Central.
Her teaching philosophy emphasizes high expectations, relationship-building, and creating a structured yet supportive classroom where students can thrive. She has engaged in extensive professional development, focusing on inclusive education and differentiation strategies, and has mentored future educators as a student-teacher host.
Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year: Krista Fleming
Krista Fleming, an Honors Biology teacher at North High School, has been named the Outstanding High School Teacher of the Year. With 30 years of teaching experience and 23 of them at North. Fleming is recognized for her dedication to student success, innovative teaching methods, and commitment to fostering an inclusive and engaging learning environment.
Fleming’s teaching philosophy incorporates diverse instructional strategies to cater to different learning styles. Her inquiry-based approach encourages students to explore concepts through hands-on activities and real-world applications.
Beyond the classroom, Fleming founded the North High School Step/Dance Team in 2001, the longest-running step team in EVSC. She has also played a key role in professional development by leading workshops that align middle school and high school biology programs. Her community involvement extends to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she works on initiatives supporting child hunger relief, youth development, and community service.
Her commitment to student engagement is reflected in her requirement that all Honors Biology students complete independent research projects. To support students facing financial barriers, she has secured funding to provide necessary materials, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities.
Outstanding Principal of the Year: Brittney Brown
Evans School Principal Brittney Brown has been named the Outstanding Principal of the Year. A dedicated leader with a passion for fostering academic excellence and a positive school culture, Brown has made a profound impact on the students, families, and staff she is dedicated to whom she is dedicated.
Prior to her role at Evans, Brown led Oak Hill Elementary to earn the prestigious National Blue Ribbon School designation within two years. Now in her first year as principal at Evans, she continues to implement effective systems that support student achievement and staff development.
With 20 years of experience in education, including 10 years as a teacher, three years as an assistant principal, and seven years as a principal, Brown’s career has been defined by instructional leadership, equity, and community engagement. She has participated in professional development programs such as Mass Insight Special Education, Eureka Math, and National Blue Ribbon leadership training, equipping her with the tools to drive meaningful change in schools.
In recognition of her leadership, Brown previously received the Indiana Department of Education’s Literacy Achievement School honor for her work at Oak Hill, where at least 95% of third-grade students demonstrated reading proficiency. She remains committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students-regardless of background-can thrive.
Brown’s recognition as the 2025 Outstanding Principal highlights her dedication to excellence, innovative leadership, and commitment to student success.
