(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Nominations are now open for the 2005 Kentucky Teacher Awards, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc.
Nomination forms can be found by visiting the Department of Education's Web site at http://www.education.ky.gov and typing in "Teacher of the Year" in the search bar or by visiting the Ashland Inc. Web site at http://www.ashland.com and clicking on the education link in the communities section.
The deadline for accepting nominations is May 30. Any full-time teacher in the state with three years of experience is eligible. Teachers may be nominated by students or their parents, teaching peers, principals or superintendents, or anyone from the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.
"May is National Teacher Month. What better way to honor outstanding educators than to nominate them for Kentucky Teacher Awards," said Kentucky Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit.
All nominated teachers are required to complete a written application, which must be submitted by June 30. Judging for the 2005 program will take place in early August by a blue ribbon panel of education professionals from around the state, and up to 24 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners will be announced later that month.
Following site visits with nine semifinalists in September and personal interviews with the top three candidates conducted at the Teacher's Forum in Bowling Green in late October, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be announced November 16 in Frankfort. At that time, all 24 teachers will be honored with cash awards and other mementos. The Kentucky Teacher of the Year then will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
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 is the fourth year for this innovative collaboration between private industry and public education.
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