Funded by a gernerous donation from Doug & Kristy Young the Outstanding Special Educator Award recognizes and honors superior teachers who have made an impact on the lives of their students.

This is a very personal cause for the Youngs. Kristy's sister is Kauri Sue Hamilton whose nanesake school opened this fall in Riverton. Kauri Sue has Downs Syndrome and now lives in a group home she calls "college". She has a job and is very happy in her life. As Kauri Sue grew up, Kristy was privileged to watch teachers put in hours upon hours of work to assist Kauri Sue prepare for life. In the years before Kristy started her family, she taugh first grade. These experiences helped her nourish an appreciation for educators.

The annual Special Educators Awards publicly honor and recognize educators who raise the bar of their profession. Recipients are nominated by school administrators and colleagues through an application process reviewed by a selection committee.

Winners are favored to a banquet and a $1000.00 check in honor of their exceptional abilities to teach and nurture students with special needs.