Four Emporia State alums were recipients of the 2021 Kansas Horizon Award, the Kansas State Department of Education announced on January 7.
- Sarah Kennedy (BSB 2006), who teaches second grade at West Indianola Elementary School in Seaman USD 345.
- Ruochen “Charlie” Shen (BSE 2017), who teaches special education at Eudora High School in Eudora USD 491.
- Rebekah Wendland (BSE 2019), who teaches history at Derby High School in Derby USD 260.
- Tricia Wyckoff (BS 1995), who teaches pre-Kindergarten at Southeast Elementary School in Southeast USD 247.
These ESU alumni are among the 32 first-year educators from around the state receiving this distinction. To be eligible for the award, teachers must have successfully completed their first year of teaching and have performed in such a way as to distinguish themselves as outstanding.
“Our school community is very proud of Mrs. Kennedy, and we thank the Kansas Department of Education for recognizing talented first-year teachers around the state,” a statement from USD 345 said.
Shen’s “caring and respectful attitude convince his students to put forth great effort, as well as helping them believe they can accomplish the things he asks them to try,” said Ron Abel, Eudora High School principal, of Shen in a social media post by USD 491.
“The moment Becky sat down to visit with me at the Emporia State University career fair I just knew she was special,” said Tim Hamblin, Derby High School principal, in a press release issued by USD 260 about Wendland receiving the honor.
“Mrs. Wyckoff does an outstanding job working with and teaching her Pre-K students,” said Tammie Hall, Southeast Elementary School principal in a news release from USD 247. “Early childhood education is very important as it starts to build a strong foundation academically and socially. Mrs. Wyckoff is deserving of this Kansas Horizon Award.”
The program is a regional competition with four regions corresponding to the state’s U.S. congressional districts. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected for the award from each region.
More information about the 2021 Kansas Horizon Award recipients can be found at https://www.ksde.org/Home/Quick-Links/News-Room/2021-kansas-horizon-award-program-recognizes-32-first-year-educators-1?