MOUNT VERNON — Cindy Horton, teacher’s aide at Centerburg’s integrated preschool, was selected as the outstanding employee of the month during Wednesday’s meeting of the governing board of the Knox County Educational Service Center.

Preschool consultant Jennifer Highnam said Horton has been a faithful ESC employee for more than 16 years and is someone who “brings out the best in children.” Highnam said Horton is a pro at coaching children in learning activities such as drawing and dictating, and has an “instinctual understanding” of preschool special-needs children.