Panther Lake Elementary kindergarten teacher Cara Haney was applauded for her work as an educator at the National Education Association Foundation’s Salute to Excellence Gala on Feb. 10 in Washington, D.C.

In early May, after an extensive nomination and application process, the Washington Education Association (WEA) selected Haney as Washington State’s nominee for the 2011 Award for Teaching Excellence from the National Education Association’s (NEA) foundation. The Award for Teaching Excellence recognizes, rewards, and promotes excellence in teaching and advocacy for the profession.

Haney was notified by the NEA that she had been selected as one of the top ten in the country. She went to Washington D.C. in mid-July to give a sample lesson for the judges to review. From those ten nominees, the judges selected the top five – including Haney.

As one of the five selected educators, she received The Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence. Haney was congratulated by the Kent School District Board of Directors for receiving the award.

She was selected by the NEA panel of judges because she had attained the higheststandards of the profession, as shown by her exemplary instruction, advocacy for public education, a commitment to diversity, and engagement of parents and community. Click here to see videos of Haney and the other Horace Mann Award winners.

When Haney arrived at SeaTac Airport from her recent trip to Washington, D.C., she was surprised by her Panther Lake colleagues who came to show their support by welcoming her home.

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