By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
In 2003, the Kansas State Department of Education created the Horizon Award to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a manner that distinguishes them as outstanding. Each school district in the state may nominate one elementary classroom teacher and/or one secondary classroom teacher. At Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting, Director of Special Education Ashley Riley recognized Patricia Cauthon as this year's Great Bend representative.
"She's one of our special ed teachers over at the TLC/Washington building," Riley said. "She works with our students with some of the most challenging behavioral needs. Even on the toughest of days she doesn't flinch and doesn't waver. She's always committed to those students' success."
The winners of the Horizon Award will be recognized in February. Winners are selected by regions that correspond with the state's four U.S. congressional districts. Up to four elementary and four secondary teachers, for a total of 32 teachers, may win the award each year. Russell's Kinsey Volk won the Horizon Award in 2023, and Stafford's Macey Dinkel and Ellinwood's Kristy Fischer won in 2019.