USD 305 Salina Public Schools has honored two Salina teachers with the 2016 Horizon Award.

South Middle School’s Kim Gaede and Oakdale Elementary School’s Mary Plott have both been recognized with this year’s award.

After a successful student teaching experience at Cottonwood Elementary School, Gaede was hired at South Middle School. Her work ethic was apparent when she voluntarily came to her future workplace to observe the sixth grade classrooms in action during the last two weeks of the school year. Before her teaching contract even started, she helped with the basketball camp and prepared her classroom for the upcoming 6th grade teaching assignment. She even agreed to fill in for the cross country coach who had to take a leave the first year the sport was offered. Fearless determination to conquer new challenges is a strength that sets Gaede apart.

From the first day of school, Gaede has had a remarkable ability to control her classroom, encourage her students, and provide them with a clear direction for their learning. She is patient and calm yet has an air of positive authority with her students.

Gaede is confident, interacts enthusiastically with students on a personal level, and is both firm and gentle as needed by her students. She enables students to find an entry point into learning math and then moves them forward confidently. She pushes her reading students with challenging texts, good instructional guidance and strong doses of encouragement and celebration.

As a Horizon teacher, Mary Plott is in her second year of teaching, though you would not be able to tell this when observing her classroom. She has an intuitive aptitude for building strong, lasting relationships with students. She is a self-starter who aims to get things done right the first time, seen in her unmatched attention to detail.

A believer in frequent communication with parents, Plott keeps them well-informed so that they aren’t surprised with news of success or concern. This also helps parents play an active role in their child’s education. Plott’s commitment to her families extends beyond the school day. Several times she has responded to after-hours emergency situations and even visited parents and students in the hospital.

Plott is a lifelong learner who invites coaching and feedback. She consistently works to improve her teaching strategies and effectiveness. An excellent collaborator, she easily strikes the delicate balance of making suggestions yet ensuring everyone has a chance to contribute.

Students in Plott’s class know she is available to them and are able to build trusting relationships with her.  She is fair, consistent and sincere in her interactions with students. As students thrive in her classroom it’s not uncommon to see them experience unprecedented levels of respect and effort.

Salina USD 305 presents the Horizon Award to teachers who have demonstrated excellence during their first full year of teaching.