The Presidential Award affirms my dedication to lifelong learning and validates the difference I make in my students’ lives. Being recognized places me in the company of our nation’s most elite educators and I am forever humbled. I am honored to represent my exceptional colleagues, students, & families of North Elementary. This award further inspires me to mentor fellow educators, work together to build a legacy of lifelong learners, and continue my pursuit of excellence in teaching and leading.

Kaysin Higgins Murray, KY | K-6, Mathematics, 2020

The official biography below was current at the time of the award.

Kaysin Higgins has been an educator at North Elementary School, the same school she attended as a child, for her entire 11-year tenure. She has taught fifth grade, schoolwide interventions, and is beginning her sixth year as a first grade teacher. In her classroom, Kaysin challenges her students to explore mathematics independently, in small groups, and cooperatively to build conceptual understanding. Through the pandemic, Kaysin took on the role as one of the lead first grade virtual teachers. She helped develop the virtual program for the district, mentored colleagues, and executed remote learning for first graders throughout the school year. Kaysin’s leadership and teaching passions reach beyond the classroom. Her leadership among fellow teachers has led to a districtwide, numeracy focused professional learning community with teachers in preschool through first grade. Additionally, she frequently presents meaningful professional development sessions to boost teachers’ confidence and encourage innovative and student-centered instruction. Kaysin served as the planning chair for a district-level "Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers" two-day professional development event. In order to develop innovative activities to further communicate the importance and fun of mathematics, Kaysin has advocated for field trips for her first grade students that are anchored in mathematics. Each year, first grade students travel to a local bowling alley to demonstrate their skills. Kaysin earned a B.S., magna cum laude, in elementary education and an M.A. in elementary teacher leader, both from Murray State University. She is a National Board Certified Middle Childhood Generalist and is completing a second master’s in administration from Murray State University.

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