Meet the winners of the 2021 Outstanding Educator Awards

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Susie Masterson was told she was needed in the parking lot.

When she walked out the front doors, the principal of Evansville Christian School was greeted by the sight of something she hadn't seen in more than a year. Dozens and dozens of students were lined up outside singing a worship song.

The students were gathered there to watch as Masterson was awarded 2021 Building Principal of the Year, one of the four 2021 Outstanding Educator Awards. The group took the opportunity for brief in-person worship since the school's chapel services this year have taken place online.

"To see them all out here worshipping together, singing, that really was the first time that we could do that all year," Masterson said. "That'll just stay in my mind forever. What a gift."

Each year, three teachers and a principal receive Outstanding Educator Awards, which are presented by the University of Evansville, the Evansville Teachers Federal Credit Union and the Courier & Press.

In previous years, winners were surprised at a school assembly, although last year's announcements were 100 percent virtual. The pandemic meant smaller recognition ceremonies this year, though the element of surprise remained. Here are the 2021 winners:

Susie Masterson, Evansville Christian School Principal, 2021 Building Principal of the Year

Someone who nominated Masterson for the award called her "the epitome of a selfless leader who is teacher-focused and believes in partnering with parents to positively impact each student’s learning."

She's been an educator for 44 years, serving in all sorts of roles including elementary school teacher, principal, adjunct faculty member at the graduate level and a professional development trainer. She has also trained teachers and planted schools in Afghanistan and Uganda.

This is Masterson's 34th year as principal for Evansville Christian School, where she oversees pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. Since 1988, she has served in various roles with ECS. This year is a bittersweet one for her as the elementary school campus prepares to say goodbye to its long-time home at Bethel Church and move to a new location in Warrick County.

She has a mission statement to guide her professionally and personally: "Commit to serving God by continuing a spiritual legacy to my children and grandchildren; using my God-gifts of teaching and leading; and pursuing connections that serve as an outreach for the Gospel."

More:Evansville's Outstanding Educator of the Year 2021: Learn more about principal finalists

Cathy Hoffman, Delaware Elementary School fifth grade teacher, 2021 Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Cathy Hoffman comes from a long line of educators. Her grandmother taught Sunday school, her mother was a nurse educator and her sister, aunts and several cousins either are or have been teachers.

Hoffman helped create educational videos when schools suddenly closed in March 2020 through a partnership between Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation and WNIN. She continued that method for the rest of the semester so her fifth-grade students could still feel like they were in the classroom, and she created new lessons for third-grade summer school. People would even approach Hoffman in public, recognizing her for her lessons on TV.

All the fifth graders were taken to an auditorium Wednesday, supposedly to hear from the middle school band directors, but when Hoffman's family walked into the room, she realized what was up.

"Dead giveaway," she said.

More:Evansville's Outstanding Educator of the Year 2021: Learn more about elementary finalists

Gayle Mooney, Scott School sixth grade teacher, 2021 Middle School Teacher of the Year

Gayle Mooney has always loved going to school. That's how she knew she wanted to be a teacher. Now, she has almost two decades under her belt at Scott School.

Her teaching philosophy is based upon building relationships with each of her students, and she also aims to make learning fun for her classes. She encourages her students to ask for help when it is needed so they will learn to enjoy coming to school each day.

Scott sixth graders were told to go to the gym to rehearse their recognition ceremony, although it turns out Mooney was receiving the recognition.

"I thought it was a little early for that," Mooney said of the alleged rehearsal. She said she realized something else was going on when she walked in the room and saw the balloon arch, which felt suspicious.

"I can't believe they kept it a secret from me, but I'm very, very honored," she said. "I feel like I'm just one of many teachers in the EVSC who would be deserving of this award."

More:Evansville's Outstanding Educator of the Year 2021: Learn more about middle school finalists

Peter Barringer, Harrison High School English teacher, 2021 High School Teacher of the Year

Peter Barringer has been a teacher for seven years, five of which have been at Harrison. 

He teaches the full range of English classes, along with the Shepard Leadership and Law Academy, a rigorous four-year program that combines social studies and English. 

Barringer also serves as a coach for the speech team and recorder for the Harrison Social-Emotional Learning Team. He also established the Harrison Board Game Club, which has been a hit with students.

Evansville's Outstanding Educator of the Year 2021: Learn more about high school finalists

This is the second year in a row a Harrison teacher has won High School Teacher of the Year.

"This is a great school," Barringer said. "We have a lot of outstanding educators here, so it really does mean a lot."