photo by: Dylan Lysen

Jessica Larsen, center, accepts a $2,500 cash prize after she was named the Lawrence school district's 2019-2020 Master Teacher Award winner on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Larsen, who was joined by her family, is a kindergarten and first grade English as a second language teacher at the school.

Jessica Larsen could hardly believe it when she heard Lawrence Superintendent Anthony Lewis name her as a top teacher for the school district on Wednesday.

“I’m stunned,” she told the students and faculty of Hillcrest Elementary School. “Thank you so much.”

Larsen — an English as a second language, or ESL, teacher for the school — was one of two educators who were surprised with awards as recognition from their colleagues for their hard work for the school district. Larsen’s award, the Lawrence Master Teacher Award, aims to honor an exemplary certified educator each year.

“It could have been anyone in the room,” Larsen told the Journal-World about the surprise announcement. “I work with so many great people, past and present. It’s a really great honor.”

During a school assembly, before naming Larsen the recipient of the award, Lewis said nomination letters from colleagues of the winning teacher were highly complimentary of their work ethic and enthusiasm for education. One even said the teacher could be “President of the World,” Lewis said.

When Lewis finally named Larsen as the winner, earning screams of excitement from the students and faculty, she was seen covering her face and hugging her colleagues in disbelief. She was joined by her husband and three children, two of whom attend the school, to accept the award. She also received hugs from many of her students.

photo by: Dylan Lysen

Jessica Larsen, center, covers her face in surprise after she was named the 2019-2020 Master Teacher Award winner for the Lawrence School District on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Larsen is a kindergarten and first grade English as a second language teacher at Hillcrest Elementary School.

As an ESL teacher for kindergarten and first grade students, Larsen works with 5- and 6-year-olds who are learning English for the first time. But she does more than just that, Principal Tammy Becker said in a school district news release.

“Jessica goes above and beyond her job description as an ESL teacher to build relationships with not only her students but their families,” Becker said in the release. “She wants to be the best teacher she can be for every student. I feel so fortunate to have her touching the lives of our young students each day.”

Larsen has worked for the school district for 14 years. She’s earned two bachelor’s degrees, a master’s degree and a doctorate from the University of Kansas, according to the news release.

As the winner of the 2019-2020 award, Larsen will be nominated to the statewide Master Teacher Award, which is awarded in the spring by Emporia State University’s Teachers College. Larsen also received a $2,500 cash prize.

• • •

Along with Larsen, Lewis named Shelley Vann, a Lawrence High School paraeducator, as the Class Act Award winner for the 2019 fall semester during a ceremony at the high school Wednesday morning.

The school district gives a classified staff member the award each semester to recognize them for demonstrating leadership, accountability, a positive attitude and a strong work ethic, among other virtues. The award came with a $400 cash prize.

photo by: Contributed photo

Shelly Vann, left, stands with Lawrence Superintendent Anthony Lewis as he names her as the Class Act Award winner for the 2019 fall semester at Lawrence High School on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Vann is a paraeducator at Lawrence High.

Vann, who has served the school district for 28 years, assists students in Lawrence High’s work experience program with developing effective employment and life skills. She plans to retire at the end of the month but continue to work in education as a substitute paraeducator for the school district.

“Shelley is beloved by her students and her colleagues because of her infectious positivity and work ethic,” said Matt Klein, LHS work experience specialist, according to the news release. “She is selfless, loves what she does, and has to be convinced to take days off. Shelley is cheerleader for this school and for Lawrence.”