’25 Kentucky Teacher of the Year ceremony Tuesday to honor nine finalists, one a NKyian


Staff report

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will host the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year ceremony Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda.

Winners of the elementary, middle and high school teaching divisions, in addition to the overall 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, will be announced during the ceremony.

Taking part in the ceremony are Robbie Fletcher, Ed.D., Kentucky Commissioner of Education; Sharon Porter Robinson, Chair, Kentucky Board of Education; Jacqueline Coleman, Lieutenant Governor; and NKY’s Kevin Dailey, 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.

Nine outstanding Kentucky educators are recipients of the 2025 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards, including Haley Dant of Randall K. Cooper High School in Boone County.

“The Kentucky Teacher of the Year Awards honor outstanding teachers who go above and beyond to help develop the next generation of leaders in Kentucky,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. “I truly believe that our educators are among the best in the nation, and we at KDE are proud to celebrate their tireless efforts in their classrooms and communities.”

The nine Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award winners and their positions for the 2023-2024 school year are:

Elementary School

• Angela Nicole Hardin, Peace Academy (Jefferson County)
• Scott Johnson, Red Cross Elementary (Barren County)
• Sarah Wallace, Robert B. Turner Elementary (Anderson County)

Middle School

• Jennifer Montgomery, Eminence Independent Middle School (Eminence Independent)
• Jessica LF Talley, Mt. Washington Middle School (Bullitt County)
• Alicia Christine Thomas, Lexington Traditional Magnet School (Fayette County)

High School

• Jamie Brown, Marion County High School (Marion County)
• Katy Cecil, LaRue County High School (LaRue County)
• Hayley Dant, Randall K. Cooper High School (Boone County)

During the ceremony, KDE will announce winners of the elementary, middle, and high school teaching divisions. From those three finalists, one will be named the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, who will then represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

All award recipients will receive cash prizes. The overall Kentucky Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000 and will be offered a six-month sabbatical with KDE during their year as an ambassador of the teaching profession.


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