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By ALISHA CALL
USD 470 Public Relations Director

Jefferson Elementary fifth-grade teacher Tamara Cassidy was a little nervous when she was called into the principal's office earlier this week.

Fortunately, Cassidy had nothing to fear. She had a phone call from the Kansas Commissioner of Education, Alexa Posny. Posny informed Cassidy that she had been selected as a 2008 Kansas Horizon Award Winner, one of 32 educators in the state to receive the honor.

The Kansas Horizon Award program, sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education, identifies and recognizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms of the state. The program's mission is to recognize exemplary first-year teachers who perform in a way that distinguishes them as outstanding.

According to Superintendent Ron Ballard, this is the third consecutive year a USD 470 teacher has received the award.

"We have very high expectations for the teachers in our district," Ballard said. "This is an excellent achievement and you should be proud," he told Cassidy.

Cassidy was all smiles.

"I am very overwhelmed - this is such a huge honor," she said. "I'm so proud to represent Ark City in this way!"

Cassidy began teaching at Jefferson in August 2006, immediately after graduating from Emporia State University. She believes the one thing that sets her apart is the support she receives from her colleagues.

"I had a great mentor during my first year," she said. "Mrs. Watson was and still is invaluable to me. In fact, everyone in the building has been very supportive, and I always know where I can go to find help and encouragement. I guess I am an example of the saying 'it takes a village to raise a child.'"

I also owe a great deal to Emporia State for helping me be prepared, she said.

"Emporia gave me many experiences before I began teaching," she said. "The student-teaching program was very extensive and served as a great transition period."

According to Sheryl Leeds, principal at Jefferson, Cassidy's students say "she never gives up on me," "she keeps trying until I get it" and "she really cares about me."

Leeds sees those characteristics come to life in Cassidy every day. She said Cassidy's first concern is for the students and making sure she is meeting their needs. Cassidy's classroom, she said, is a place where excellence and learning are the expectation and standard. She creates an environment where students feel safe to take a chance, and know that they will get the support and encouragement they need.

"In my opinion, Tamara Cassidy is a rare, exceptional, young educator who exemplifies the very best in the future of education in the state of Kansas," Leeds said. "She has the abilities of a veteran teacher with the excitement and enthusiasm for learning that is contagious for her students and for those who work with her."

As a recipient of the Kansas Horizon Award, Cassidy is invited to join the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN), a network of educators from around the state who have been formally recognized for exemplary performance. Members of KEEN have an opportunity to network with other outstanding educators and participate in a number of professional development programs throughout the year.

Above: Jefferson Elementary School fifth-grade teacher and 2008 Kansas Horizon Award Winner Tamara Cassidy discusses Wednesday's mid-year math test with Heather Utt and Paige McKnight.