Katrina Hursey was nominated anonymously.
Ms. Hursey creates a positive classroom environment by building strong, meaningful relationships with each of her students. She begins each day by greeting them with a smile and taking the time to listen to their stories, celebrate their news, and ensure they feel seen and valued. Her consistent presence and attentiveness help students know they have a trusted adult who genuinely cares about them.
Within her classroom, Ms. Hursey fosters a tight-knit sense of community where students feel like they are part of a family. Together, they cheer each other on, take academic risks, and celebrate one another's successes. Mistakes are welcomed as learning opportunities, and students are encouraged to embrace the process of growth with confidence and curiosity.
She sets clear expectations and consistent routines, giving students the structure they need to feel safe, while also incorporating exciting and engaging learning experiences that keep them motivated. Ms. Hursey brings learning to life by connecting content to the real world and making each lesson fun, relevant, and adventurous. Her classroom is a space where students collaborate in small groups, share ideas, and build upon each other's thinking.
Through hands-on tasks and thoughtfully designed learning experiences, she ensures that all learners are engaged and challenged. At the heart of her approach is the belief that when students feel safe, supported, and inspired, they become confident, curious, and capable lifelong learners.
I had the privilege of working with Katrina for many years at Oakwood Elementary School. She has a true love for teaching. She goes above and beyond for every student in her class reaching them each at their levels and working with them to meet their greatest potential. She builds relationships with her students. They know she loves and cares about each one of them. Katrina works with students to guide them to become leaders in her classroom, school and their homes. Katrina believes deeply that very student has the ability to be a leader in her class, and Katrina helps them set goals and brainstorms strategies to reach their goals. At Oakwood Elementary Katrina led our Leader In Me initiative school wide as our Leader In Me Facilitator. She led our Student Lighthouse Team helping the students to brainstorm and set school wide goals. She also led our School Lighthouse Team and Parent Lighthouse Team to help grow leaders inside as well as outside our school. She was an important part of our school achieving Lighthouse Status as a Leader In Me School. Part of becoming a Lighthouse Schools involves every student in our school having a leadership position in the classroom. Students were also able to apply for other jobs in the school. At the end of the year we celebrated with our Leadership Day. On Leadership Day every student was involved with the celebration. Students gave speeches, sang songs, guided groups of visitors through our school, represented clubs, and many more positions throughout the day. Katrina helped guide and organize the event each year. Every student knew they were an important part of our school. Katrina knew the importance of every student knowing their worth as a student. She was always so excited when the students shared speeches they had written about how being a leader in our school had changed their lives and how they saw themselves as leaders. Katrina is a Life Changer! She sees potential in every student and everyone on the faculty. She encourages everyone she encounters at work, home, and in her community. I was so blessed to have worked with Katrina. She is so deserving of this award.
Katrina is a fabulous teacher with a genuine passion for students. She led our elementary school in the implementation of The Leader in Me initiative and inspired teachers and students to be their best. I am proud of Katrina and this is well deserved!
Katrina truly has a heart for, not just the children in her classroom, but for every child she comes into contact with. Her passion for supporting the whole child is evident in everything she does. She is an amazing educator who sacrifices her time, resources, and all that she is to ensure that everyone in her classroom is taken care of. She truly is a life changer for every student she teaches.
I had the privilege to work alongside for many years. Your passion for your students is admirable. You give 110% in everything you do. You also taught one of my babies and helped her start her education career out strong!
Ms. Hursey was my elementary school teacher when I was at Oakwood Elementary. I still remember learning the days of the week with songs and creating so many childhood memories in her class. I am thankful to have had her as my teacher!
I work in Mrs. Hursey’s class during the day. I enjoy watching her teach her students and build that sense of community and confidence in her classroom. She is an amazing educator and I am blessed to be able to be a part of her classroom for the time that I am in her class. She goes above and beyond to make sure all her students are receiving the instruction they need and deserve!
Katrina is a phenomenal educator and amazing colleague. She genuinely cares about everyone around her and pours her heart into building relationships. She also goes out of her way to help others. She is presenting at a math conference this fall to help educators from all around the state! She is so deserving of this recognition!
She is truly deserving of this nomination. Not only has she impacted me as an educator, but she has also taught both of my children. The strong foundations she sets through rigorous and intentional instruction have shaped my children’s education and instilled in them a lifelong love of learning. Her influence reaches far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impact on students, families, and colleagues alike.
Katrina is an amazing educator! She gives her heart and soul to each and every student. To be taught by her is a blessing. She is a such an important part of our school and community!
Katrina Hursey is a life changer! I had the pleasure of working on a team with her and working in the same school as her for many years. I have seen her champion children that are struggling. I have seen her pour her heart, soul, and pocketbook into these children. I felt and witnessed her love and passion for education. I feel like I became a better human working in her presence. She is truly a remarkable human being, I wish we could clone her. The world is a better place because of Katrina Hursey. She is a genuine, loving, caring, selfless person. I love her. I wished my children and grandchildren had her as a teacher. I am honored to call her a friend. There is no one better deserving of this award!!
Ms. Hursey currently teaches my little boy, and she has made 2nd grade so fun for him. He has loved being in her class. I am blessed to be a colleague of hers, as well. It is apparent that she gives her everything to her students and goes above and beyond to meet their needs. She also leads the second grade team with such grace and positivity. Love working with her!
Katrina has been such a blessing in my life. She is such a shining light for the community and makes a difference inside and outside of the school walls. I met Katrina when she was on the same team as me in 2021. She was very welcoming and helpful during my second year of teaching. She spent many planning periods helping me with lesson plans or giving me advice on problems that were happening inside my classroom. She was always a listening ear. I wouldn’t have made it without her. After that year, we continued to work together seamlessly. She is such an easy person to love and listen to as a team leader. I can’t express the gratitude I have for meeting Katrina. She has impacted me and many others in ways she probably doesn’t even realize. She is the example of an amazing educator. She is one everyone wants to be.
Ms. Hursey taught our daughter harper. To know harper, she is very spirited and bright child. Not only did Ms. Hursey entertain and feed harpers imagination, she helped our child excel in every aspect of school. Harpers math and reading are now off the charts, and she is in the gifted program. We are so thankful for our child having Ms. Hursey.
I have had the privilege of working with Katrina for the past 8 years. One thing I can say about her is that she has a heart for her students, as well as the people that have the privilege of working with her. Katrina’s name is always brought up in our principal meetings about how she truly cares about her students outside the classroom. You will often catch her at events that her students are participating in, cheering them on. There is hardly ever a day where we don’t have students going back to her classroom to get a hug or just say hi. They know that she loves them and that they will always be a part of her life. I can’t think of a more deserving candidate than Mrs. Hursey! There are none better!!
Katrina is not only an amazing educator but a humble, kind, passionate, Christian woman and I could not be more grateful for the impact she made of my daughter’s life.
