Kamiakin math teacher receives Crystal Apple award

KENNEWICK, Wash.-- A Kamiakin High School math teacher was recently surprised to learn during a ZOOM meeting that she had won a local educational award.

Katrina Kutschkau has taught at Kamiakin in Kennewick since 1997.

"Before the pandemic, every freshman at Kamiakin got a home visit from staff members to welcome them into the Brave family. You're a big reason that this welcome wagon initiative got off the ground, and it's so successful that it's been replicated at other schools," Superintendent Dr. Traci Pierce told a tearful Kutschkau during the online meeting.

As a Crystal Apple Award winner, Kutschkau receives $1,000, a glass apple, and is nominated for the state award.