(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – The Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc. have selected 24 outstanding Kentucky educators as recipients of the 2012 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards (TAA). These teachers will compete for the 2012 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced next month.
The 24 winning teachers, listed by school district, are:
Boone County -- Kimberly Shearer, Boone County High
Bourbon County -- Scott Cahill, Bourbon County Middle
Bullitt County -- Braxton Kyle Buege, Eastside Middle
Bullitt County -- Daniel Mullins, Brooks Elementary
Caldwell County -- Amy Littlejohn, Caldwell County Elementary
Christian County -- Melanie Anne Barrett, Christian County High
Clay County -- Joyce Ellen Bowling, Manchester Elementary
Corbin Independent -- Virginia L. (Jenni Lou) Jackson, Corbin Middle
Fayette County -- Kellie M. Little, Athens-Chilesburg Elementary
Fayette County -- Rachel Losch, Dixie Elementary
Frankfort Independent -- Jocelyne Waddle, Frankfort Middle/High
Hart County -- Angela Barbour, Cub Run Elementary
Hart County -- Shanna Teodorski Smith, Cub Run Elementary
Jefferson County -- Elizabeth Ann Fuller, J.B. Atkinson Academy
Jefferson County -- James A. Gilbert, Central High
Jefferson County -- Valerie Sue Rueger, Ramsey Middle
Knott County -- Amanda Ratliff, Knott County Central High
LaRue County -- Summer Twyman Garris, LaRue County High
Menifee County -- Randy Barrette, Menifee County High
Paintsville Independent -- Jennifer S. Fowler, Paintsville Jr./Sr. High
Pike County -- Kim Meddings, Belfry Middle
Pike County -- Melissa Lee Dudley Sheets, Elkhorn City Elementary
Taylor County -- Donna K. Williams, Taylor County Middle
Wayne County -- Angela Patton Sloan, Wayne County High
All 24 teachers will be honored at a ceremony in Frankfort on October 18 in the State Capitol Building. Representatives of the Kentucky Department of Education, the Governor’s Office and Ashland’s Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien will be present to honor the teachers and to recognize the Kentucky Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year. From that group of three finalists, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be named and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Ashland will present the 24 TAA recipients with cash awards and certificates at the awards ceremony in Frankfort. In addition to their cash awards, the three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments, and all 24 educators will be honored at a special luncheon after the ceremony.
The Kentucky Teacher Awards program combines the best elements of the Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs. This marks the 11th year the Department of Education and Ashland have partnered to honored Kentucky educators.
Judging was conducted in August by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators, many of whom have more than 25 years of teaching experience. Applications included information on the nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences and involvement in their respective communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents, administrators and others.
Ashland has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards since 1988. Approximately $631,500 has been awarded to more than 425 teachers of grades K to 12.
##