2009 Special Award for Excellence in Teaching

This year’s recipient is Paulette Breithaupt, Sunset Hill Kindergarten teacher.



Superintendent Randy Weseman and Lawrence Schools Foundation President Ron Aul and Executive Director Susan Esau surprised Sunset Hill Kindergarten Teacher Paulette Breithaupt with a check for $10,000 during a school assembly on May 21, 2009. The check accompanied the Bobs’ Award, a teaching honor created through the Foundation by a group of civic leaders who share the same first name, Bob. The benefactors choose to remain anonymous to focus attention on the outstanding educators selected annually to receive the award.

This is Breithaupt’s 27th year teaching kindergarten at Sunset Hill. She previously taught for five years in Berryton, Kan., after earning her bachelor’s degree at Mid America Nazarene College.

“There are some whose ability to make each child, or even adult, feel special is a unique gift. Paulette Breithaupt has that unique gift among a host of others. She was designed to teach kindergarten students. A rare combination of personality traits and instructional integrity are blended in this hidden treasure of a teacher,” said Sunset Hill Principal Chris Bay.

The Foundation’s Bobs’ Award honors a teacher who “exemplifies extraordinary instruction skills; reflects commitment to quality education and dedication to teaching; focuses on individual student achievement; administers to the whole child, guiding each student to achieve his full potential; and is deemed to be proficient, caring, adaptable, and professional.”

Special Award for Excellence in Teaching “Bobs Award” Recipients