photo by: Contributed photo/Lawrence Schools Foundation

Baileigh Faler, center, poses with Broken Arrow Elementary School staff after she was named the winner of the Lawrence Schools Foundation's 2020 Dedication to Education award. Faler, a fourth grade teacher, has taught at the school for 10 years.

A Lawrence teacher who is known for making education fun for her students has been recognized for her commitment to the profession.

The Lawrence Schools Foundation recently named Baileigh Faler, a fourth grade teacher at Broken Arrow Elementary School, the winner of the 2020 Dedication to Education Award, the foundation announced in a news release.

Faler was selected for the award after her peers and parents wrote letters to the foundation explaining why they thought she was deserving. One individual with the school district said Faler deserved the award because of her approach to teaching, according to the news release.

“When I walk into the classroom, I can always count on seeing hands-on collaborative learning happening with the students,” the teacher wrote. “Bottom line is, she knows how to make learning fun and engaging for students.”

The foundation presented the award to Faler on Friday at the school. The award comes with a $5,000 cash prize.

Faler has been teaching at Broken Arrow for 10 years, according to her teacher profile on the district’s website. She did not respond to the Journal-World’s request for comment Monday.

The annual award aims to honor a Lawrence teacher or paraeducator who goes beyond expectations to help ensure challenged and disadvantaged students learn. A fellow teacher said Faler’s ability to go the extra mile is seen when she supports her students outside of the classroom.

“You will see her at sporting events, piano recitals, plays, art shows and any other things that students are involved with,” the teacher wrote.

photo by: Contributed photo/Lawrence Schools Foundation

Broken Arrow fourth grade teacher Baileigh Faler, right, stands with her husband after she was named the winner of the 2020 Dedication to Education Award on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020. The Lawrence Schools Foundation gives the award annually to teachers who go beyond expectations to educate their students.

Parents have also noticed Faler’s work, as one also noted Faler has shown the ability to make learning engaging for her students.

“Mrs. Faler is not only kind but she teaches in a way that makes the kids excited to learn,” the parent wrote. “They teach to how the child learns, not making the child learn to how they teach.”

The honor, awarded each winter, was created by community members who are the sons and daughters of a group of anonymous donors who initiated the foundation’s annual Bobs Award for Teaching Excellence, which is given in the spring.