Amy Hercules, principal of Countryside Elementary School in northeast Olathe, called an impromptu assembly to provide a fun venue for The Olathe Public Schools Foundation Prize Patrol to recognize two outstanding educators.
It’s unusual for the two monthly recipients to be from the same school but that was the choice the committee made from their pool of candidates.
Amy Martin was originally nominated by her colleagues, principal, and two of her students from Rolling Ridge Elementary School last spring. However, while her nomination was being reviewed over the summer, Amy was asked to move to Countryside Elementary school. Lori Fielder, Rolling Ridge principal, agrees, “Our loss was certainly Countryside’s gain.”
Rolling Ridge parent, Jennifer Snyder said, “I truly feel that Mrs. Martin is a one-of-a-kind teacher.”
Also awarded was 5th-grade teacher Erin Meyer. Erin is only in her third year of teaching but has 
already exhibited all of the characteristics of an excellent educator. One of her former students wrote in his nominating letter, “She deserves this award because she loves us and asks for nothing in return. She will do anything that it takes to take us to our full potential. She works with every one of us the way we learn, not like everyone is at the same level.”
Upon receiving her award, Erin commented, “All my life I’ve wanted to be a teacher. That was my dream. Now, I don’t get up every morning and go to work; I get up every morning and live my dream.”
The Olathe Public Schools Foundation is honored to be able to recognize the excellence in Olathe educators. If you would like to nominate a teacher in your building who excels in educating students, contact your school principal or click on the Educator Excellence tab above right. Nominations are reviewed and awarded monthly, August through April, and are kept on file for a year.