Sue Ake, fifth-grade teacher at Gordon Parks Academy, is the district’s recipient of the 2023 Kansas Horizon Award from the Kansas Department of Education. The Kansas Horizon Award recognizes teachers who do an exemplary job during their first year of teaching. Ake was surprised at her school by a phone call from Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson.

As a recipient, Ake will join the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN). KEEN is a network of educators from across the state, allowing teachers to share ideas with other teachers and to participate in a number of professional development programs.

Ake and the other state recipients will be recognized during the KEEN State Education Conference.

Click here to watch a video news story of the surprise announcement.