Halsey (KMTR) - A Halsey kindergarten teacher cashed in on a big reward Wednesday. Catherine Hawkins has taught at Central Linn Elementary for more than 25 years. She received a $1,500 prize for herself and $5,000 for the school from the Oregon College Savings Plan, which recognizes educators who motivate and inspire kids to be better students.Hawkins was nominated by a parent who is also her former student.
Hawkins says the kids she teaches make the job easy.
“The reason I love teaching kindergarten is I don't really need to inspire kids; they come to school so ready to learn,” she said. “And it's fun to watch them suck up knowledge and be excited about the world around them.”
The Oregon College Savings Plan program recognizes one Oregon teacher each term. Nominations are now being taken for the spring term.
