Kennedy Elementary School fifth-grader teacher Cara McNorton is surrounded by students of her class after she was selected as the recipient of the 2015 Dedication to Education Award, given annually by the Lawrence Schools Foundation in collaboration with Lawrence Public Schools. The award provides ,000 to the recipient.

Kennedy Elementary teacher Cara McNorton has been selected for the 2015 Dedication To Education Award.

“I come to work for the kids,” McNorton said following the award presentation Monday. “I love spending my days with kids and watching them grow and develop and become awesome people.”

The annual award is given by the Lawrence Schools Foundation in collaboration with Lawrence public schools and provides $5,000 to the recipient. The award honors someone who ensures that challenged or disadvantaged students learn.

McNorton is involved in numerous programs at Kennedy as an equity leader at the school. Earlier this year, she shared the district’s first Martin Luther King Champion of Equity Award with fellow Kennedy teacher Patrick Wedel.

“(Cara McNorton) is one of those teachers that every child will remember as the one who played an important part of their life,” said Kennedy Principal Cris Anderson, in a news release. “She is the type of teacher that every principal dreams of having on their team. Cara is a teacher that challenges herself, motivates her students and inspires her peers.”

McNorton has taught fifth grade at Kennedy since 2012. Previously, she taught for eight years at schools in Topeka and Council Grove, as well as in Butler and Nevada, Mo. McNorton said there are many good teachers, and she is thankful for all those who support her career.

“I am just a teacher and I represent so many,” she said. “I have been so blessed to have so many good mentors and good colleagues and an amazing family to support me in this.”