By Brenna Eller
SOUTH HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce the most recent recipient of the Classroom Hero Award presented by Heartland Credit Union.
Kathrine Cota, 6th Grade Teacher at South Hutchinson Elementary School and her three sixth grade classes were surprised with the Classroom Hero Award presentation on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
Cota is currently in her first year of teaching at the elementary school.
“I actually went to the grade school here,” Cota said.
Cota also went to Reno Valley Middle School, Nickerson High School, and Hutchinson Community College.
Prior to teaching sixth graders, Cota taught preschoolers.
Each month, Ad Astra Radio honors a different educator, selected from community nominations, to receive the Classroom Hero Award, along with a “hero” gift basket, courtesy of community partners Heartland Credit Union, Midway Motors of Hutchinson, Stutzman’s Greenhouse, Hutch Putt and The Foto Cowboy.
In a nomination submitted by a community member, Cota was praised for her dedication to becoming a teacher and never giving up.
“She encourages students to put their best effort in and supports every need a student has while validating the students’ efforts and acknowledges students as valuable members of a classroom,” the community member said. “She encourages every student to be a contributing student in the classroom learning environment.”
The nominator also noted that Cota takes one-on-one time with students who are struggling to grasp a subject, no matter what the subject is.
“I like when you can really see them [the students] get what you’re teaching them,” Cota said. “When they didn’t understand and then it just clicks in their brains.”
The Classroom Hero Award seeks to highlight the hard work and dedication of those on the front lines of our local schools. Nominations can be submitted at https://www.adastraradio.com/classroom-hero.
Ad Astra Radio has been locally owned and operated since 1986 and is proud to be your hometown radio station.
