Meet our Staff

Welcome to our Family

We welcome you to Sarah Scott Middle School, home of the Scotties!  Each day we build on a rich and wonderful history which dates back to 1919.  Ours is a history filled with success, excitement, rich instruction and a strong sense of family. We are the home of the “Scotties”.   We hope you will take some time to explore the resources and links on our website.

Principal

Joseph Thoma

I am proud to serve as the Interim Principal of Sarah Scott Middle School.  As I start my 30th year in education, I have dedicated my career to helping students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
I started as a classroom teacher and have had many different roles, including Behavior Interventionist, Behavior Interventionist Coach, and Assistant Principal in our school corporation.  In each position, I have focused on building positive school cultures, supporting teachers, and ensuring that all students feel safe, respected, and ready to learn.  I believe strong relationships between students, families, and staff are the foundation of a great school.
I am excited to continue building on the strong traditions of Sarah Scott Middle School and am committed to making it a place where every student can grow, achieve, and feel a true sense of belonging.

CONTACT: 
(812) 462-4381

Assistant Principal

Whitney Tharp

It is with great enthusiasm that I introduce myself as the newly appointed assistant principal at Sarah Scott Middle School! I am incredibly honored to have been chosen to work alongside Mr. Thoma to lead at SSMS. During my 13 years in education, I have been an administrator, data coach, an RTI coordinator, and taught grades 5-7! I also coached middle school volleyball for many years. As a lifelong learner, my hope is that my efforts will inspire every student at SSMS to reach for the stars.
I look forward to meeting you throughout the school year! If you have any questions or need some assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Let’s have a great school year!

CONTACT: 
(812) 462-4381

Staff & Faculty

Ms. Bedrava
6th ELA
6th Grade Team
Ms. Bendzsa
Custodian
Support Staff
Ms. Bryant
EA
Support Staff
Mr. Burch
Custodian
Support Staff
Mr. Burress
Band/Orchestra/Athletic Director
Related Arts Team
Mr. Butt
6th Reading
6th Grade Team
Ms. Cook
7th Science
7th Grade Team
Ms. Cooper
BA
Support Staff
Mr. Eller
Counselor
Admin Team
Mr. Fairrow
EA Wilson
Support Staff
Ms. Freeman
EA Hansen
Support Staff
Mr. Fuqua
8th Soc Studies
8th Grade Team
Mr. Giles
PE
Related Arts Team
Ms. Grant
BI AEP
Support Staff
Mr. Handlin
Dean
Related Arts Team
Mr. Hansen
Adaptive Room
SPED Team
Ms. Hardesty
EA St Services
Support Staff
Ms. Haworth
Cafeteria
Support Staff
Mr. Turner
Behavior Interventionist
Support Staff
Ms. Jones
Sec/Registrar
Support Staff
Ms. Kaur
EA Sanders
Support Staff
Ms. Keep
Cafeteria
Support Staff
Ms. Kneller-Nichols
EA O’Dell
SPED Team
Ms. Loudermilk
8th Literature
8th Grade Team
Ms. Mahalek
6,7,8 Literature
SPED Team
Ms. Martin
8th Science
8th Grade Team
Ms. McKenzie
Cafeteria
Support Staff
Mr. Nagy
7th Math
7th Grade Team
Mr. Nagy
CTE
Related Arts Team
Ms. O’Dell
6,7,8, ELA
SPED Team
Ms. Personette
7th Soc Studies
7th Grade Team
Ms. Racines
7th ELA
7th Grade Team
Mrs. Walters
FACS
Related Arts Team
Ms. Rhodes
Choir
Related Arts Team
Mr. Rich
6,7,8 Math
SPED Team
Mr. Riddle
EA Rich
Support Staff
Ms. Runyun
6th Science
6th Grade Team
Ms. Sampley
Business
Related Arts Team
Ms. Shouse
Cafeteria
Support Staff
Ms. Smith
7th Literature
7th Grade Team
Mr. Smitley
8th ELA
8th Grade Team
Mr. Smodilla
Media Specialist
Tech Team
Mr. Sons
6th Soc Studies
6th Grade Team
Ms. Sult
Manager Cafeteria
Support Staff
Ms. Tharp
Assistant Principal
Admin Team
Mr. Thoma
Principal
Admin Team
Ms. Tovar
Sec/Treasurer
Support Staff
Mr. Tyler
Art
Related Arts Team
Ms. Walker
EA SLP
Support Staff
Mr. West
Bld Sub
Support Staff
Ms. Williamson
Health Assistant
Support Staff
Ms. Willman
EA
Support Staff
Ms. Wilson
6,7,8, Sped Soc Studies
SPED Team
Ms. Woodward
6th Math
6th Grade Team
Ms. Woolston
8th Math
8th Grade Team

Teacher Honors

VCSC Teacher of the Year

2009 – Jeff Burress

WTHI Golden Apple Award Recipients

2007 – Steve Lingenfelter
2008 – Teresa Huxford
2009 – Tammy Beck
2021 – Andrea Lugar

Vigo County Education Foundation Excellence in Education Recipients
1987 - Judy Elsey
1988 - David Utterback
1989 - Diane Jensen
1990 - Mary Ley
1991 - Rebecca McElroy
1992 - Lana Shuck
1993 - Amy Schorr
1994 - Wade Winston
1995 - Steve Lingenfelter
1996 - Tony Smodilla
1997 - Teresa Huxford
1998 - Gayle Light
1999 - Peggy Diehl
2000 - Ann Butwin
2001 - Tamara Beck
2002 - Mark Miller
2003 - Mary Ley
2004 - Debbie Kaykendall
2005 - Linda Jones
2006 - Don Gosnell
2007 - Tina Horrall
2008 - Dianna Wright
2009 - Ronda O'Dell
2010 - Laurie Setliff
2011 - Wade Winston
2012 - Brenda Chubb
2013 - Jeff Burress
2014 - Theresa Adler
2015 - Tamara Beck
2016 - Melissa Jordan
2017 - Rachel Cox
2018 - Charlie Shacklee
2019 - Karen Clark
2020 - Claire Thorsen
2021 - Ronda O'Dell
2022 - Olivia Goulding
2023 - Vicki Rich
2024 - Melissa Walker
2025 - Kara Mahalek
2026 - Jeff Burress