(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Twenty-two outstanding Kentucky educators have been named recipients of the 2004 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards, the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc. announced today.
The recipients are eligible to compete for the 2004 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced next month.
All 22 teachers will be honored at a ceremony and luncheon in Frankfort on January 8 in the state Capitol building. Representatives of the Kentucky Department of Education, the Governor's Office and Ashland Inc. will be on hand to honor the teachers and to recognize the Kentucky elementary, middle and high school Teachers of the Year. From that group of three semi-finalists, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be named. That individual will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Ashland Inc. will present all 22 recipients with a cash award, along with a framed certificate, at the awards ceremony in Frankfort. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their honor.
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 year marks the third year that the Department of Education and Ashland Inc. have joined together to honor Kentucky educators.
Judging was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators. The judging was held in Louisville, and representatives of the Department of Education and Ashland Inc. did not participate. Applications included information on the nominees' teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities and letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents, administrators and others.
The 22 winning teachers, by school district, are:
Ashland Ind. -- Tandy F. Wellman, Poage Elementary
Bullitt Co. -- Jennifer Harrison, Bernheim Middle
Bullitt Co. -- Karen B. Miller, Roby Elementary
Carter Co. -- Linda O. Carter, Upper Tygart Elementary
Christian Co. -- Ashlea McLerran, South Christian Elementary
Danville Ind. -- Patti S. Rowland, Mary G. Hogsett Elementary
Fleming Co. -- Karlyn Vice, Fleming County High
Fayette Co. -- Jennifer Forgy, Paul Laurence Dunbar High
Fayette Co. -- Brenda W. Owen, Morton Middle
Glasgow Ind. -- Leigh A. Gassaway, Glasgow Middle
Graves Co. -- Sarah Saylor, Graves County Middle
Hardin Co. -- Tonya Vowels, North Hardin High
Jefferson Co. -- Betty D. Horton, Chenoweth Elementary
Kenton Co. -- Priscilla M. Roberts, Dixie Heights High
Laurel Co. -- Ronnie E. Barnes, South Laurel Middle
Letcher Co. -- Stacy L. Holbrook, West Whitesburg Elementary
McCracken Co. -- Tom Wilson, Lone Oak Middle
Muhlenberg Co. -- Charles B. Phipps, Muhlenberg North High
Ohio Co. -- Teresa S. Byers, Wayland Alexander Elementary
Pike Co. -- Linda K. Dale, East Ridge High
Somerset Ind. -- Kristi Jenkins, Somerset High
Wayne Co. -- Cynthia W. Woods, Walker Elementary
Since 1988, Ashland Inc. has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards. Nearly $450,000 has been awarded to nearly 200 teachers of grades K to 12.
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