USD 465 proudly announces that Irving Elementary's 5th grade teacher Sally Pipes has been named one of the distinguished recipients of the 2026 Kansas Horizon Award. This prestigious award recognizes the exemplary teaching skills of new educators who demonstrate excellence in the classroom.
On Tuesday, January 6th, Sally Pipes received a surprise phone call from Kansas State Department of Education Commissioner, Dr. Randy Watson where he informed her that she was selected as one of the Horizon Award winners! The announcement was made in the presence of Superintendent Tricia Reiser, Assistant Superintendent Phil Bressler and Principal Jeff Everett. Following the notification, Sally celebrated with her colleagues, who extended their congratulations on her remarkable achievement.
The Kansas Horizon Award is given to 32 outstanding novice teachers across the state who have distinguished themselves through their exceptional performance in their first year of teaching. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected for the award from each of the state’s four regions that correspond to the state’s U.S. congressional districts. Sally Pipes is now among a select group of exceptional teachers who are setting new standards in education. Her commitment to fostering an engaging and supportive learning environment for her students exemplifies the award's values.
Sally, along with other award recipients, will be celebrated at a special ceremony during the Kansas Exemplary Educators Network (KEEN) State Education Conference in February. This event will not only honor their accomplishments but also provide an opportunity to connect with other exemplary educators and share innovative teaching practices.
"We are thrilled to congratulate Mrs. Sally Pipes, a dedicated educator at Irving Elementary School, for being honored with the Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Horizon Teacher Award," said Principal Jeff Everett. "Sally's dedication, creativity, and positive impact on her students exemplify the high standards celebrated by this award, and we commend her for this well-deserved achievement.”
