Simon Youth Foundation teacher is a breath of fresh air in her non-traditional classroom

Burton, right, and Larkin
with a celebratory cake

“I have never seen anyone put others before herself the way Kara does. She volunteers her heart and her time to these students because that is what she is called to do,” wrote Katie Burton.

Burton’s words were part of a personal tribute to Kara Larkin that was one of many submitted on Larkin’s behalf when she was nominated as one of Central Indiana’s best teachers.

Larkin is the head teacher at the Simon Youth Clark Pleasant Academy in Whiteland, Ind. Burton also is a teacher at the non-traditional high school that is supported in partnership between Simon Youth Foundation and the Clark Pleasant Community School Corporation.

The quote from Burton above is one of three that appeared on the award plaque that was presented to Larkin on January 24, 2011, when she was named an ExtraordinAIRy Teacher by Williams Comfort Air during a ceremony at the Academy.

Larkin, with award plaque in hand, and SYF's
Della Lefevers, left, and Julie Carriere, right.
Larkin's nominator, Anne Young, is second from left.

Each year through its ExtraordinAIRy Treasures program, Williams Comfort Air names six Central Indiana ExtraordinAIRy Teachers, awarding them each a $500 gift and an additional $500 for their schools.

“This is a complete surprise, and I am excited to have earned this honor,” Larkin says. “But the success we have at the Academy is the result of hard work from all three of the amazing teachers we have on staff.”

Anne Young, a member of the SYF Education Committee and former director at Clark Pleasant Academy, nominated Larkin for the award and collected the letters submitted on Larkin’s behalf.

In her own nomination letter, Young wrote, “If teacher was the only hat worn by Kara Larkin, she would easily rank as extraordinary. However, Kara is so much more because she values and respects every student, restoring their confidence in their own abilities.”

The SYF Board of directors and staff couldn’t agree more, and we all extend well-deserved congratulations to Kara!

In the video below, Williams Comfort Air Marketing Manager Suzi Nichols, reads a portion of a third tribute letter that was written by the Clark Pleasant Community Schools Corporation Curriculum Coordinator, Dr. Becky Courtney-Knight, and included on Larkin’s award plaque.