Wellington Teacher Earns Statewide Recognition for Excellence

WELLINGTON, Kan. (AP) — Ashley Shuck, a fifth-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School, has been named one of 32 recipients of the Kansas Horizon Award, a distinction honoring outstanding first-year educators across the state.

The announcement was made during a recent staff meeting at Lincoln Elementary, where Kansas Education Commissioner Dr. Randy Watson called in to share the news. The Horizon Award, administered by the Kansas State Department of Education, recognizes new teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom and show strong potential for long-term impact.

A social media post from Wellington Public Schools praised Shuck’s achievement and highlighted the importance of celebrating early-career educators. The post described the award as a way to spotlight the contributions of Kansas’s newest teachers.

Shuck’s selection places her among a small group of educators recognized statewide for their dedication and promise in their first year of teaching.