You have to be able to laugh to be a good teacher.

At least that seemed to be the lesson of the day Wednesday as city leaders presented the annual Mayor’s Excellence in Education Award to three Lawrence Public School educators.

“What really keeps me in this profession is to walk out in the halls and see the kids. They do goofy things and make us laugh,” said Charlotte Anderson, a media specialist at Central Junior High School and one of the award winners. “We laugh every day, and that is great.”

Laughter is a big part of the award-winning formula for Cindy Taylor, a fifth-grade teacher at Deerfield School, who also received the city award.

“I laugh at them, but I also laugh at myself every day, too,” Taylor said.

Anderson and Taylor were joined by Lorna Larson, a transition specialist at Free State High School as the third award winner. All three educators were praised as being able to form close connections with students and for going the “extra mile” to meet student needs.

Charlotte Prosser, learning strategies teacher at Central Junior High School, left, hugs Charlotte Anderson, Central Junior High School media specialist, after Anderson was honored with the Mayor's Excellence in Education Award. City Commissioner Boog Highberger made three presentations Wednesday to Lawrence educators honored for their excellence in education, leadership and community.

This year’s version of the awards also attempted to recognize that there are a multitude of professionals who help provide a child’s education. Two of the three award winners were not traditional classroom teachers. As a media specialist, Anderson works in Central’s library and helps ensure that teachers have the teaching tools and materials that they need to do their jobs.

As a transition specialist, Larson works with students in Free State’s special education program and helps them receive the assistance they need to find jobs, housing and other services as they leave high school and enter adulthood.

“We are committed to serving the students until age 21 if they need it,” Larson said. “It is important. We want students to be successful now and in the next realm of life.”

Frank Harwood, principal at Central Junior High, said he was glad that the city was recognizing the variety of educators who work to educate children.

“I think it is important to remind everybody that there are a lot of people who are very important in providing a good education,” Harwood said.

City Commissioner Boog Highberger, who is the immediate past mayor, handed out the awards and said he hoped that the annual program, which began in 2003, was a good reminder of how the community views education.

“I think you all know that in this community we really value education, despite what the state Legislature does from time to time,” Highberger said.

Each winner received a trophy and will be recognized at Monday’s school board meeting and at Tuesday’s City Commission meeting.