The Kentucky Department of Education announced nine Kentucky educators as recipients of the 2027 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards.
These teachers are also nominees for the 2027 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in September.
“Our incredibly dedicated Teacher Achievement Award winners represent some of our best talent in the state,” said Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher.
The nine Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award winners and where they taught during the 2025-2026 school year are:
Elementary school
• Nikki Janiak, Estes Elementary School (Owensboro Independent)
• Kellie Moses, Garth Elementary School (Scott County)
• Amanda O’Bryan, Old Mill Elementary School (Bullitt County)
Middle school
• Katherine Sigmon Berner, Baker Intermediate School (Clark County)
• Gregory Edens, Rosspoint Elementary School (Harlan County)
• Trino Grau, Bryan Station Middle School (Fayette County)
High school
• Paula Gieseke, Christian County High School
• Brandon Riddle, duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
• Molly Seifert, Beechwood High School (Beechwood Independent)
“We are so proud of the highly skilled educators across our state, and it is an honor to be able to recognize these outstanding professionals,” Fletcher said. “These teachers truly embody what it means to go above and beyond in helping students prepare for their future.”
These nine teachers will be honored during a ceremony in Frankfort on Sept. 9. KDE will announce winners of the elementary, middle and high school teaching divisions during the ceremony. From those three finalists, one will be named the 2027 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. That teacher will 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 have the opportunity to do a six-month sabbatical with KDE. As part of the sabbatical, they will be able to travel around the state to connect with other teachers as an ambassador of the teaching profession.
KDE received 600 teacher nominations this year. Judging was conducted by a qualified panel of veteran educators from across the state.
Nominees were interviewed and judged based on their teaching philosophies, teaching experiences and involvement in their respective communities. Judges also considered letters of recommendation from peers, students, families, administrators and others.
Kentucky Department of Education