The Kentucky middle school and high school teachers of the year are Northern Kentuckians.
Faye Smith, a mathematics teacher at Campbell Co. Middle School, and Joshua C. Underwood, a chemistry teacher at Mason County High School, were introduced at a Capitol Rotunda ceremony in Frankfort.
Also honored was Sarah M. Reed, a third-grade teacher at Field Elementary School in the Jefferson County school district, the 2015 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education made the announcement. Gov. Steve Beshear, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Thomas O. Zawacki, Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday, and Ashland Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien were on hand to make the presentation.
The three joined 21 other teachers from across the state honored with 2015 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards. Beshear praised all the achievement winners for their dedication, innovation, enthusiasm and ability.
“Our teachers are the ones who are called, day after day, to perform heroic tasks in the classroom and to show our children not only how to learn but how to think,” Beshear said. “Jane and I want to congratulate all the award winners and our Teachers of the Year. We thank all our teachers across the commonwealth for their hard work and dedication to inspire and mentor the next generation of leaders.”
“Day in and day out, Kentucky’s classroom teachers are proving that our students can achieve at high levels and that they can graduate college- and career-ready,” said Holliday. “Teachers are one of the state’s most valuable assets, and these teachers represent the best in Kentucky.”
Smith and Underwood received $3,000 each and a customized, art-glass vase from Ashland, while Reed received $10,000 and a commemorative crystal-glass bowl. In addition, the Department of Education will provide a sabbatical or suitable alternative for Reed, who also will represent the state in the 2015 National Teacher of the Year competition.
The remaining 21 winners each received $500 cash awards. All 24 teachers received framed certificates and were further recognized at a luncheon following the ceremony.
“Ashland is about making things better for communities,” said O’Brien. “Supporting education is just one way that we go about doing that.”
This is the 14th year Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education have co-sponsored the Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards. Applications for the program were distributed across the state, and the first tier of the selection process was completed in August, with 24 teachers selected as 2015 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners.
Nine top scorers – three each from the elementary, middle and high school levels – were selected, and teams of educators visited their classrooms to view them at work and to conduct personal interviews. From those nine, three were selected as 2015 Kentucky Teachers of the Year. The selection of the overall Kentucky Teacher of the Year was based on the compilation of scores from all phases of judging.
Ashland has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards since 1988. Approximately $710,000 has been awarded to more than 475 teachers in grades K to 12.
The 21 other teachers nominated, listed by school and school district, are:
· Abby Flake, Audubon Elementary, Daviess County
· Lisa M. Moore, Vine Grove Elementary, Hardin County
· Stacie L. Kegley, Longbranch Elementary, Boone County
· Michael DiEnno, Lebanon Junction Elementary, Bullitt County
· Cathy Justus Cook, Glendover Elementary, Fayette County
· Elizabeth M. Lovett, Jesse D. Lay Elementary, Knox County
· Renee Biddle, Charles Straub Elementary, Mason County
· Scott L. Pile, Calloway County Middle, Calloway County
· Joshua E. Sullivan, Owensboro Middle, Owensboro Independent
· Sara Appleby, Daviess County Middle, Daviess County
· Peggy A. Helm, Crosby Middle, Jefferson County
· Patrick M. Goff, Beaumont Middle, Fayette County
· Jennie S. Watkins, Corbin Intermediate School, Corbin Independent
· Ella F. Bowling, Mason County Middle, Mason County
· Emily A. Johnston, Henderson County High, Henderson County
· Michelle L. Ruckdeschel, Beacon Central High, Daviess County
· Teresa D. Pendleton, Central High Magnet Career Academy, Jefferson County
· Victoria Yeomanson, Randall K. Cooper High, Boone County
· Linda K. Dewees, Henry Clay High, Fayette County
· Pamela J. Wilson, Russell County High, Russell County
· Karen R. Donour, Letcher County Central High, Letcher County
From Kentucky Department of Education