Fourth grade teacher Tammy Cale and physical education teacher Bryan Scott, both of Riley Elementary School, were given well-deserved recognition by the USD 428 Board of Education, led by Kevin Mauler, president, Monday night.  
Cale, a first year teacher, was commended for having been named a Horizon Award nominee.  The Kansas Cable Telecommunications Horizon Awards are sponsored by the Kansas State Department of Education and the Kansas Cable Telecommunications Association and recognize exemplary first-year educators at the beginning of their second year of teaching.  The program is a regional competition with four regions corresponding to the state’s U.S. Congressional districts. Four elementary and four secondary classroom teachers may be selected for the award from each region.
“We congratulate Tammy Cale for receiving this award,” Mauler said.  
Scott, who not only teaches physical education, but also fills several other roles in the district, was awarded the district’s R.O.S.E. award. It stands for Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education.  
Going above and beyond what’s required of a PE teacher, Scott regularly visits with classroom teachers to find what students are learning in their homerooms and then finds clever ways of integrating vocabulary and social skills lessons into his teaching, Mauler said.  
He is also a co-leader of the Community Connections team at Riley.  spends countless hours promoting Riley in the Great Bend Community.  He has led his team in adding community partners while positively representing Riley School.
One recent project he has taken on that illustrates this is the Walking School Bus Program that started at Riley on Oct. 1.  Not only does he organize volunteers, he recruits them.  He has worked with coaches at Barton Community College to bring student athletes into the program, creating a win-win situation for students at both ends.  College students have an opportunity to give back, and elementary students have a chance know and talk to role models in college, he said.
Visitors to Riley will see Scott in the thick of it at school events, serving meals, helping to set up and take down equipment, and talking with parents.  
He also takes a hand in making sure the grounds are well maintained so students have the best possible surfaces to play on, whether they are taking part in school or Recreation Commission sports.  He takes pride in the appearance of these facilities.
“Mr. Scott’s energy is infectious, and students follow his lead to show kindness and respect to others,” Mauler said.  “If there ever was a person that modeled the mission, vision, and values of Riley Elementary, it would be Mr. Scott.  Riley and our district are very fortunate to have Mr. Scott.”
After receiving his award, Scott excused himself.  He had some mowing to do at the school, in preparation for a visit from a consultant with the Walking School Bus program Tuesday morning.