Stephanie King is a 9th-12th grade English/Language Arts educator at Granger High School in Granger, WA. She is also one of the five educators receiving the 2026 Horace Mann Awards for Teaching Excellence.
Any recognition I receive in teaching is not simply a reflection of my work; rather, it is a compilation of my students’ determination to learn and grow, my community’s desire to provide better public education for each generation, and my district’s commitment to afford educators such opportunities to improve their teaching. Ultimately, everything I have done, is to do one thing: directly improve the learning of students.
One student who proves my commitment is a student I’ll call CJ. As the middle and high school girls’ soccer coach, CJ came to me as a seventh grader wanting to play. I had no idea the six–year journey we would go on together after that first spring season. She was an excellent player; however, she was not as strong in the classroom as she was on the pitch.
When she entered high school, I made sure she was on top of her classwork by checking in with her weekly, and helping her develop the skills needed to advocate for herself when dealing with teachers. When her junior year rolled around, I recommended she take my dual credit University of Washington English courses. CJ was hesitant; she had never taken an honors English class and was not confident in her abilities. I assured her, as I do all students feeling trepidation, if she was willing to put in the time and work, she would be successful. I always remind students that it is my responsibility to provide the support they need to achieve their goals. If they were capable of doing the work on their own, then I would serve no purpose.
CJ decided to take my class. We would work together on bus rides to soccer games, and she ended the year not only making the all-state soccer team, but more importantly, earned 10 University of Washington English credits and established a college transcript. As a first generation college student and daughter of immigrant parents, CJ was the epitome of what my students can achieve when they have someone who believes in them. That then turns into self-efficacy and develops the self-confidence students need to prove what they are capable of as independent young adults.
CJ went on to play collegiate soccer. I attended her signing day with her family, helped her select classes on registration day, and cheered her from afar as she grew into an incredible, successful young woman. Years later she came back and coached middle school girls soccer with me; a true full circle moment where she then gave back to the very community that shaped her.
I am still in contact with CJ, though not as often as it used to be. I had the privilege of having three of her younger siblings, with one more still to come through high school.
I send her parents a Christmas card every year and I am always honored when CJ comes to a game just to say hi. One of the greatest joys teachers have is when students take the time to return just to share an update of their lives.
Teaching excellence goes well beyond the classroom. It is a reflection of educators who are integral members of their community and foster those relationships year after year. We play a supporting role in the lives of countless students across the country, with students at the forefront of all that we do.
THE NEA FOUNDATION IS COMMITTED TO FEATURING DIVERSE VOICES AND PERSPECTIVES ABOUT CRITICAL ISSUES FACING PUBLIC EDUCATION, STUDENTS, AND EDUCATORS. THESE VIEWS DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THOSE OF THE NEA FOUNDATION.
