Tate High School educator receives top award

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L to R: Tammy Wawro and Kathryn Richey

DES MOINES, IA (05/05/2016)(readMedia)-- Kathryn Richey, an English Language Arts teacher at Tate High School in Iowa City, is a 2016 Excellence in Education Award runner-up. The award is sponsored by the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA). Richey was chosen among a top field of educators-all nominated by colleagues, students, parents, and community members-because of the difference they make every day in the lives of Iowa's students.

"This award is truly about recognizing the educators who work hard on a daily basis and rarely get the recognition they so richly deserve," said Tammy Wawro, President of the ISEA. The nominations we receive are a testament to the dedication and compassion Iowa educators have for their students and the communities in which they live. Clearly, our educators go above and beyond to help shape the lives of the students they teach."

Richey's dedication to her profession and her students is evident in the many responsibilities she holds and care she takes with each. She teaches three periods a day at the alternative high school, holds a teacher leadership position in the school district, is the coordinator for the online program, oversees the student council and hosts a lunch and learn for teachers during the lunch period once per week. Richey comes in early and stays late to work with students about issues they have or planning for their future. She helps them look at English from a different perspective and inspires her co-workers to become more involved. She is a positive role model for all of us.

"It is clear that Kathryn's creativity, passion, and work all combine to make a tremendous impact in her classroom and beyond, and we applaud her achievement," said Wawro. The Excellence in Education Award celebrates educators like Kathryn who are invested in the lives of their students and go beyond what is expected to make an exceptional experience for them."

Now in its 16th year, the Excellence in Education Award honors educators around the state who make a difference in the classroom. Nominations are solicited beginning in January through March.

Richey received a $100 gift from the ISEA during an awards ceremony and banquet on Tuesday, May 3, at the Iowa Events Center in downtown Des Moines, courtesy of the ISEA.

The winner of the 2016 Excellence in Education Award is Kevin Cooper, an agriculture and natural resources teacher at Nevada High School in Nevada. Cooper received $1,000 courtesy of the ISEA. Other runners-up also honored included Joyce Lansing, a special needs instructor at Maquoketa High School in Maquoketa; Laura Tracy, a kindergarten teacher at North Butler Elementary in Allison; and Kyle Van Ausdall, a Business Education teacher at Central Lee Community High School in Donnellson. All runners-up received $100 courtesy of the ISEA.

The ISEA is a professional organization made up of more than 34,000 educators who are dedicated to supporting and protecting a quality education for all Iowa students.

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