Graduate receives Horizon Award

Baldwin City, Kan. — Spring Hill Elementary School teacher Haley Epperson, a 2013 Baker graduate receives Horizon Award recognition for her first-year teaching excellence.

The Kansas State Department of Education annually recognizes 32 educators — 16 elementary teachers and 16 secondary teachers — in the state. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers are selected for the award from each U.S. Congressional District.

Epperson, a fourth-grade teacher, joined the Spring Hill district in 2013-2014.

In a release posted on the Spring Hill website, Epperson said of her students, “My goal is to keep their curiosities high and create fun, hands-on experiences for them so they learn concepts. I hope that all of them maintain a desire for learning as they grow.”

As a district-level winner, Epperson has the opportunity to compete in the Kansas State Department of Education’s 2015 Kansas Cable Telecommunications Horizon Award Program. The 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 honor exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.