The Mercer Island Preschool Association (MIPA) has awarded the honor of Exceptional Educator for 2015 to Jen Headrick, the director and lead teacher at Pixie Hill Preschool.

MIPA gives the award each year to a “teacher, assistant or administrator who has made extraordinary contributions to the Island’s preschool community.”

Nominations received by MIPA described Headrick as an “engaged, awe-inspiring, nurturing, and caring educator.”

One parent wrote, “Jen’s abundant love and devotion towards children as well as her genuine desire to nurture and support children are tremendous markers of her exceptional ability to instruct and guide some of Mercer Island’s youngest learners.”

Headrick was surprised by the award and to find that along with students, parents, colleagues and MIPA board members, Headrick’s parents flew in from California for the occasion.