Emporia High biology teacher Erica Huggard is no stranger to recognition for her work in the classroom and her most recent accolade is one of the highest honors available to educators in the nation.
Huggard was recently named a finalist for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science and Mathematics and Science. She recently joined KVOE’s Morning Show to discuss the award calling it an “honor” and saying it is still a surreal feeling to be standing on the same ground as some of the best educators in the country.
The recognition is not an easy one to come by as Huggard explains the application process is a challenging one.
Huggard has been an educator for the past 15 years who began her career the year after she graduated from Emporia State University with her bachelor’s degree in education in 2006. Huggard described her teaching style as “hands-on” utilizing a variety of models to help her students better retain the information they are learning.
Huggard’s list of accolades also includes being named a Kansas Master Teacher for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The Presidential Awards recognize teachers who demonstrate a high level of leadership, knowledge, innovation and skill. State finalists will be recognized next February. National finalists receive a $10,000 award.
