HUTCHINSON, Kan. — What makes Morgan Elementary School 6th Grade Teacher Angie Rice stand out is her ability to make her students feel seen. Her positive influence stays with them far beyond the sixth grade.
Ad Astra Radio is proud to announce Mrs. Rice as this month’s Classroom Hero Award recipient, presented by Heartland Credit Union.
Each month, Ad Astra Radio honors a different educator, selected from community nominations to receive the Classroom Hero Award and a “hero” gift basket, courtesy of community partners Heartland Credit Union, Midway Motors of Hutchinson, Stutzman’s Greenhouse, Hutch Putt and The Foto Cowboy.
“I always wanted to be a teacher,” Rice said. “I stayed at home with my kids and raised them until they were in kindergarten. Then I started subbing and just knew this was where I was supposed to be.”
Mrs. Rice has taught at Morgan Elementary School for six years. Before that, she was a substitute teacher at the school for about four years.
A Hutchinson native, Mrs. Rice graduated from Derby High School and obtained her masters in education from Kansas State University.
Mrs. Rice enjoys teaching sixth graders because of the connection she is able to make with them.
“I really love just the ability to be able to connect on a deeper level with kids when they’re older,” Rice said. “I like to be able to joke around with them and when they’re little, they don’t read your jokes as well.”
In a nomination submitted to adastraradio.com, Mrs. Rice was described as a teacher who does so much more than teach lessons.
“She [Mrs. Rice] makes a lasting impact on the students she teaches every single day,” the nominator said. “Sixth grade can be a big transition for students, with new challenges, higher expectations, and so much personal growth happening along the way. Mrs. Rice understands that each student is different and takes the time to make sure her students feel supported, encouraged, and valued.”
The nominator added that Mrs. Rice genuinely cares for her students and goes above and beyond to help them succeed on an academic and personal level. “She encourages her students to believe in themselves and reminds them that they are capable of more than they may realize,” the nominator said.
The Classroom Hero Award seeks to highlight the hard work and dedication of those on the front lines of our local schools. Nominations can be submitted at https://www.adastraradio.com/classroomhero/.
Ad Astra Radio has been locally owned and operated since 1986 and is proud to be your hometown radio station.
