Mrs. Tristyn Tow, TR Resource Teacher and Alyssa Higbie, MHS CTE Agriculture/Greenhouse Teacher have been named recipients of the state’s Horizon Award, according to USD 383.
The Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) has announced the recipients of the 2026 Kansas Horizon Award, a program recognizing the outstanding teaching skills of new educators. The 32 educators, 16 secondary and 16 elementary, chosen for this award will be honored at a special ceremony during the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) State Education Conference. Tristyn is one of the 16 elementary educators.
The Kansas Horizon Award program, sponsored by KSDE, allows all school districts in the state to nominate one elementary and one secondary teacher for the award. To be eligible, teachers must have successfully completed their first year of teaching and have performed in such a way as to distinguish themselves as outstanding.
Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected for the award from each of the state’s four regions that correspond to the state’s U.S. congressional districts.Recipients of award were notified of their selection by Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson.