Eryn Elder, center in grey, English teacher at South High School, is the recipient of the 2010 Kansas Horizon Award. She is pictured with some of her AVID students.

South teacher receives Kansas Horizon Award 
Eryn Elder, English teacher at South High School, received the 2010 Kansas Horizon Award from the Kansas Department of Education. The Kansas Horizon Award recognizes teachers who do an exemplary job their first year of teaching. Elder was surprised with the honor by a call from Dr. Diane DeBacker, Interim Kansas Commissioner of Education, on January 15.

"This is exciting," Elder said. "My students are also excited for me, and that really means a lot."

As a recipient, Elder is invited to join the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). KEEN is a network of educators from across the state, allowing teachers to share ideas with other teachers and to participate in a number of professional development programs.

"I'm excited about more opportunities to learn from other teachers and the chance to become an even better teacher," she said.

"I tell my students that they should always continue learning and I'm demonstrating that for them."

She was selected for the Wichita Public Schools 2009 Distinguished Classroom Teacher Awards in the New Teacher, secondary, category last spring.

January 15, 2009