K-State College of Education Student Awards

The College of Education bestows awards of excellence to students in undergraduate, gradute, future teacher, social justice, and teaching excellence.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award

The Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards are awarded in fall and spring to up to five (5) undergraduate students.

Award criteria:

Award criteria include the student’s GPA; service to the College of Education and/or K-State, including service projects, clubs, activities, and employment; service to the community, with an emphasis on experiences related to the field of education; academic honors and achievements; and the connection between the student’s academic and service experiences and their future career in teaching. Nominations are made by College of Education faculty in recognition of exemplary undergraduate students.

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

The nomination form requests information about the nominee’s current GPA, service to the College of Education and/or Kansas State University, service to the community, and academic honors and/or achievements. Nominators are also asked to provide a narrative statement of no more than 200 words explaining how the nominee’s academic achievements and/or service will impact their future teaching career.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award

The Outstanding Graduate Student Awards are available to one Master’s student and one Doctoral student each fall and spring.

Award Criteria:

Award criteria include excellence in scholarship; outstanding service to the College of Education, Kansas State University, or the profession; outstanding service to the nominee’s current school district or university and/or past educational employers; and graduation during the semester in which the award is granted. Summer graduates may be nominated for the fall award.

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

Nomination materials include a current résumé or curriculum vitae; a one-page narrative outlining the nominee’s philosophy of education; a narrative describing the nominee’s accomplishments, including service to the College of Education, Kansas State University, the education profession, current school district or university, and/or past educational employers; and two letters of recommendation.

Outstanding Future Teacher Award

The Outstanding Future Teacher Award is offered in the fall & spring to one Elementary Education student and one Secondary Education student.

Award Criteria:

Planning and Preparation:

Demonstrates knowledge of Content & Pedagogy, Demonstrates knowledge of Students, Selecting instructional goals, Demonstrating knowledge of resources, designing coherent instruction, Assessing student learning.

The Classroom Environment:

Creating an environment of respect and rapport, Establishing a culture for learning, Managing classroom procedures, Managing student behavior, Organizing physical space.

Instruction:

Communicating clearly and accurately, Using questioning and discussion techniques, Engaging students in learning, Providing feedback to students, Demonstrating flexibility and responsiveness.

Professional Responsibility:

Reflecting on teaching, Maintaining accurate records, Communicating with families, Contributing to the school and district, Growing and developing professionally, Showing professionalism.

COE Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award

The COE Graduate Student Teaching Excellence Award is offered each Spring to one graduate student from the College of Education.

Eligibility:

Enrolled in a graduate program in the K-State College of Education Teaching responsibilities at K-State during the academic year in which the award is presented; Demonstrates highly effective teaching

The materials that the nominee is asked to submit:

Nomination materials include a completed nomination form; a current résumé or curriculum vitae; a double-spaced teaching portfolio of no more than three pages, prepared by the nominee, documenting evidence of highly effective teaching, which may include a statement of teaching philosophy, evidence of instructional design that improves student learning, evidence of effective student and colleague mentoring, and evidence of professional development; and one letter of recommendation.

2026 Student Awards

Spring 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards

Halley Asbury, Elementary Education; Rachel Hermreck, Secondary English Language Arts Education

Spring 2026 Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards

Julia Hess, K-12 Physical and Health Education; Irene Hoff, Elementary Education; and Lauren Walker, Elementary Education

Outstanding Future Teacher Award Elementary Education (Spring 2026)

Melane Moua

Outstanding Future Teacher Award Secondary Education (Spring 2026)

Rachel Sum

Spring 2026 Outstanding Graduate Student in Education Award (Doctorate)

Ernestina Wiafe, Curriculum and Instruction

2026 Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award

Kaylee Myers, Doctoral student in Curriculum and Instruction

2026 Powered by Purpose Award (Undergraduate)

Shelby Starbuck, Senior in Elementary Education

2026 Powered by Purpose Award (Graduate)

Whitney George, Master’s student in Special Education