A Miami Trace Local School District kindergarten teacher was recently recognized by Battelle for Kids as a distinguished educator for her tremendous impact on her students, colleagues and community.
Sarah Kirkpatrick was among 44 teachers from across Ohio to receive the 2016 Celebrate Teaching Distinguished Educator Award as a representative of excellence in the teaching profession. The awards were presented during a program at the “Educators Connect for Success” Conference in Columbus June 14.
Kirkpatrick was pleasantly surprised when notified of her accomplishment. “It is an honor, blessing and privilege to work with our youngest learners every day,” she said. “It is so important to me that they develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime. I was very humbled to receive this award.”
“Celebrate Teaching” is Battelle for Kids’ commitment to celebrate, support and inspire great teaching. Since 2012, the organization has recognized nearly 250 outstanding teachers with the Distinguished Educator Award who have shown powerful results in the classroom. The 2016 class of Distinguished Educators were selected for demonstrating evidence of great teaching in multiple ways – including academic, non-cognitive, and community measures.
With headquarters in Columbus, Battelle for Kids is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to moving education forward for students by supporting the educators who work with them every day.
“The impact of a teacher starts with a student and reverberates through the classroom, the school, and the community. It is truly the gift that keeps on giving,” said Jim Mahoney, executive director of Battelle for Kids. “Congratulations to all the outstanding teachers in the 2016 class of Distinguished Educators, and thank you to the thousands of educators across Ohio who give so selflessly of themselves to teach our children.”
Miami Trace Superintendent David Lewis said, “This award is a well-deserved honor for Sarah. Her energy and passion for teaching is second to none. I recently talked to a parent whose child was in Mrs. Kirkpatrick’s classroom this past year. She was delighted with the experience her child had in kindergarten. When asked to describe Mrs. Kirkpatrick in three words or less, the parent said without hesitation, ‘Rock star.’”
To learn more about the Celebrate Teaching program and the 2016 class of Distinguished Educators, visit www.CelebrateTeaching.org.
