English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Heather Lee was surprised this morning with the Dedication to Education award by the Lawrence Public Schools Foundation and Superintendent Rick Doll.

Lee has worked at Lawrence High as an ESL teacher since 2012 after leaving Salina Public Schools.

“There is a direct correlation between Heather’s outstanding work with students and the improvements Lawrence High is seeing in the academic performance of English Language Learners and Hispanic students,” Principal Matt Brungardt said.

Lee was nominated for the award, which provides $5,000 to the winner, by ESL teacher Debbie Soule.

“Heather exemplifies all that is good in teaching,” Soule said in her nomination letter. “She is thoughtful in her lesson planning, she is engaging in her instruction, and she wins the respect and hearts of every student and staff member who enters her door.”