Story published: Tuesday, Mar. 25, 2008
Two win Educator Excellence Award
Kristin Babcock
Michelle Buck, a sixth-grade teacher at Havencroft Elementary School, thought she was late for an all-school assembly. But her co-workers stalled her so they could gather students to celebrate Buck receiving this month’s Educator Excellence Award.
“I was so embarrassed because I was late,” Buck said. “Then they started clapping. I thought it was about a fundraiser. Then I realized it was for me. It was a really nice surprise.
Buck has taught at Havencroft for six years. As with each recipient of the Educator Excellence award, Buck was nominated by a student, a parent and a colleague. Havencroft Principal Catherine McDonald wrote a nomination letter, saying Buck makes more than a daily impact on students. Buck wrote students postcards during winter break when she went on a trip to China.
“She made sure she sent each person a postcard from China so they would have a personal greeting as well as a token from a great part of the world,” McDonald wrote.
Buck says she enjoys giving extra time to her students.
“My kids are so important to me; I see them as part of my family,” Buck said. “They are a neat group of people. People always say they wish spring break was longer. I can’t wait to get back to school. I know it’s an unpopular idea, but I miss my kids.”
Buck said she has 100 percent job satisfaction.
“There couldn’t be a greater honor than it coming from that group of people,” Buck said. “It means more to get this award from them than a national award because they know me. It’s special to have it come from people I love so much.”
Tracy Balkenbusch was in her kindergarden classroom when the Educator Excellence prize patrol stopped class in the middle of snack time.
“I thought, ‘Well, It’s not my birthday; what are all of these people doing here?’” Balkenbusch said. “I had no idea why they were coming in.”
Balkenbusch has taught kindergarden at Heatherstone Elementary School for three years. She was nominated by student Meredith Basham, parent Marty Basham and colleague Mary Sharp.
“It’s a great honor to know that people think highly of your efforts in the classroom,” Balkenbusch said. “I can’t get over having this gift from the Olathe Public Schools Foundation.”
Each month, the foundation awards teachers with an unrestricted $500 gift.
“I will be searching to use the gift that will help me always remember this and the great opportunity to teach to children in our district,” Balkenbusch said. “It makes you want to strive to do all you can to do more for your school.”