Where am I?
District Recognizes Horizon Award Winners
October 15, 2012
The Spring Hill School District recently honored this year’s Horizon Award winners. This recognition is given to teachers for exemplary performance during their first year in the classroom. The elementary school winner is Christine Walter, fourth grade teacher at Prairie Creek Elementary School. The secondary-level honoree is Taylor Brewer who teaches language arts at Spring Hill Middle School. They both joined the school district for the 2011-12 school year, and are now in their second year of teaching.
At the Spring Hill Board of Education’s October meeting, the teachers were recognized for their excellence in the classroom and service to the district. Pictured left to right, Brewer and Walter pose after receiving certificates from Board President Nels G. Anderson, P.E.
As district-level winners, they now have the opportunity to compete in the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2013 Kansas Cable Telecommunications Horizon Award Program. This initiative provides each Kansas school district with the opportunity to encourage, recognize, and reward new members of the profession. The mission of the program is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.
Walter, who entered the profession due to her strong desire to work with children, shared that the best part of her job is to help students learn and grow as well as make a meaningful difference in their lives. A graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, Walter has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in deaf studies.
“One of the keys to my success has been the district’s New Teacher Academy, which has allowed me to collaborate with new teachers and instructional coaches,” said Walter. “In addition, I am surrounded by an outstanding staff at Prairie Creek Elementary School who helped me through my first year in the district.”
Brewer, the district’s secondary-level winner, has wanted to be a teacher since she was very young, as she was surrounded by many educators within her family who have provided inspiration. A seventh grade language arts teacher, she received a bachelor’s degree in English from Emporia State University.
“I was very lucky to have a great group of students to work with during my first year of teaching, and I attribute much of my success to them,” said Brewer. She offers the following advice to new teachers – learn from your colleagues but also find ideas that work for you, your own style and embrace it.