Shippensburg Awards Outstanding Teachers for 2018-19

Two educators from Southern York County School District are recipients of the ‘Outstanding Teacher Award’ for 2018-19, sponsored by the Shippensburg University School Study Council. Susquehannock High School art teacher Wade Bowers and Friendship Elementary School 6^th grade teacher Katie Lhotsky will be honored with the award at a luncheon at Shippensburg University in November 2018.

“This is the 20^th consecutive year that Southern York County School District has had at least one teacher selected for this prestigious award,” said Superintendent Sandra Lemmon. “Congratulations to Wade Bowers and Katie Lhotsky, who are both well deserving of this award,” she said.

Bowers has been teaching in Southern York County School District for 14 years. He started teaching fine arts at Susquehannock High School before taking over the visual communications program. He received his bachelor’s degree from York College in graphic design and with minors in fine arts, art history, and photography. Bowers completed his master’s degree in art education from Messiah College.

“This award is a tremendous honor,” said Bowers. “In this profession, you want to make a difference in the classroom and the community, and to be recognized with this award emphasizes my role as an educator,” he added.

Susquehannock High School principal Kevin Molin congratulated Bowers as this year’s award recipient. “What sets Wade apart is his ability to seamlessly integrate the 21st Century skills that so many educational authors and business leaders have been demanding from schools over the decades, while still teaching the prerequisite artistic skills expected from rigorous post-secondary institutions,” said Molin. “His leadership, vision, and most importantly, his personal values, have been an enormous asset to Susquehannock High School,” he added.

Lhotsky began her 11^th year at Friendship Elementary School as a 6^th grade teacher. She earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from West Chester University with a minor in literacy. She earned her master’s degree in curriculum and teaching from Northcentral University.

“I am so honored that my administrators saw qualities in my teaching that would warrant a nomination for this award,” said Lhotsky. “It motivates me to strive to be the best teacher that I can be for my students, and to continue to work hard at my craft,” she said. Lhotsky thanked her administration and colleagues for their support.

“Miss Lhotsky’s classroom is continuously buzzing with student-led learning,” said Friendship Elementary School principal Lisa Boyer. “She is always on the cutting edge of educational technology within her classroom lessons and provides our teachers with professional development to help share her expertise,” Boyer said.