SHAWNEE, Kan. – Perceptive Software and the University of Kansas School of Engineering surprised two instructors here in south central Kansas Tuesday with Educating Excellence awards. The program recognizes outstanding Kansas and Kansas City area high school science, technology, engineering and math teachers.

Representatives first went to Pratt Skyline High School to surprise science teacher Chuck Young at a surprise all-school assembly. Young is being rewarded for going above and beyond his duties in the classroom. Current and former students alike wrote to the selection committee with stories about times he stayed after class and offered a wide array of counsel, from advice about healing broken ankles to career path selection.

Susan Credille, who chairs the math department and teaches classes in the same subject at Wichita Northeast Magnet High School, was also surprised Tuesday when presented with an Educating Excellence award in front of her peers at an afternoon faculty meeting. Her colleagues describe Credille as not only an informed and adept teacher, but also an incredible resource for both her students and her department.

Each month throughout the 2011-2012 academic year, a $1,500 award will be given to an outstanding Kansas or Kansas City area teacher. Nine teachers in total will be recognized during the current academic year.

In order to be eligible for the award, a teacher must receive three separate nominations – one each from a colleague, a member of the community and a current student. The deadline for spring award nominations is December 31. Nominations can be made online at www.educatingexcellence.org. Questions can be directed to educatingexcellence@perceptivesoftware.com.