Betsy Pillow Grades

K-4

Steph Pridemore 

Grades 5–8

Dr. Jessica Minton

Grades 9–12

Dr. Andrea Henrie

Higher Education 

TSTA recognized Steph Pridemore of Clinton Middle School as the 5-8 Science Educator of the Year for 2025. A science educator for 18 years in Anderson County Schools, Pridemore previously served as district middle-school science coordinator and instructional coach before returning to the classroom, “back to CMS,” she says, where she finds daily joy and purpose teaching 8th-grade science. Pridemore’s favorite units invite students to wonder about where we come from, how the world works, and what lies beyond, building skills that endure. A proud mom to Finn, she plans to mentor the next generation of teachers through future roles in teacher training and publications that share classroom-tested practice.

TSTA recognized Dr. Jessica Minton of Houston High School as the 9-12 Science Educator of the Year for 2025. Now in her 17th year of full-time teaching and 10th year at Houston High, Dr. Minton transforms science from something students read about into something they do, from dissections and edible cells to microscopes, models, case studies, and outdoor environmental investigations, with special strengths in genetics and environmental science. Inspired by her students, Dr. Minton pursued an Ed.D. focused on bridging special education, science education, and storytelling to expand access and belonging. She credits her husband and two children as her greatest encouragers, often joining her in national-park adventures that become lessons back in the classroom.

TSTA recognized Dr. Andrea Henrie of Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College as the Higher Education Science Educator of the Year at the organization’s 50th Anniversary Celebration during the TSTA Conference.  With 20 years in higher education, Henrie is renowned for Elementary Science Methods, equipping future teachers to build equitable, inquiry-rich classrooms where every child can see themselves as a scientist. Henrie centers her philosophy on relationships with both students and colleagues, and she finds her sense of joy in the electric moment when preservice teachers are young, eager, and hungry to grow. Supported by her loving family (husband Darren, son Jack, and daughter Jenna), her future goals include expanding her influence through service and leadership at the state and national levels, promotion to Associate Professor of the Practice, securing grants to expand teacher attendance at TSTA and NSTA, and supporting teacher education in underserved countries.