What started off as just another day in the classroom quickly turned into a day of recognition for one local teacher.
Riverside Elementary School first grade teacher Holly Ann Abel was informed Tuesday morning that she is the Emporia Public Schools Horizon Award winner. Abel explains what started as a typical Tuesday morning suddenly changed as she says her principal Jarred Giffin entered the room and then her phone started to ring.
The Kansas Horizon Award program identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. The mission of the program is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.
Abel was nominated a few months back by Principal Giffin and Assistant Principal Katie Adams. Abel explains teaching is one of the hardest jobs there is, however, to have others take notice of the work she is doing makes it all worth it.
Abel believes what sets her apart from others is that she attempts to create a sense of family within her classroom.
Abel, a native of Valley Falls Kansas came to Emporia in 2013 to attend Emporia State University. She graduated from ESU with a degree in Elementary Education in 2017.
Photos Courtesy of USD 253
{gallery}Holly Ann Abel{/gallery}
