(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Twenty outstanding Kentucky educators are recipients of the 2005 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards, the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc. announced today.
This honor qualifies them to compete for the 2005 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in November.
All 20 teachers will be honored at a ceremony in Frankfort on November 16 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 and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
Ashland Inc. will present all 20 recipients with cash awards and framed certificates at the awards ceremony. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their honor, and all 20 educators will be honored at a special luncheon that day.
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 fourth 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 mid-August in Lexington, and representatives of the Department of Education and Ashland Inc. did not participate. Applications included information on nominees' teaching philosophies, their teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents, administrators and others.
The 20 winning teachers, by school district, are:
Bullitt County -- Rick Lumpkins, Roby Elementary
Bullitt County -- Troy Kolb, Bullitt Lick Middle
Corbin Independent -- Robin Ingle, Central Primary
Elliott County -- Anita Laney, Elliott County High
Fayette County -- Emily Dugar, Harrison Elementary
Fayette County -- Cindy McLendon Kewin, Lafayette High
Glasgow Independent -- Diann C. Roberts, South Green Elementary
Grant County -- Joseph L. Kozar, Grant County High
Graves County -- Lee Ann Rodgers, Graves County Middle
Hardin County -- Brent Wagoner, East Hardin Middle
Hart County -- Debbie B. Fowler, Hart County High
Jefferson County -- Tresella Jaggers, Blue Lick Elementary
Lincoln County -- Debbie J. Sims, Lincoln County Middle
Model Lab (Madison County) -- Staci Wilson, Model Laboratory School
Muhlenberg County -- Penny S. Roberts, Greenville Elementary
Perry County -- Debbie Jo Halcomb, Robert W. Combs Elementary
Pike County -- Deborah W. Stiltner, Phelps High
Pike County -- Linda K. Dale, East Ridge High
Russell Independent -- Pamela Wright, Russell Elementary
Scott County -- Billie Travis, Georgetown Middle
Since 1988, Ashland Inc. has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers through its Teacher Achievement Awards Program, awarding nearly $475,000 to some 220 teachers of grades K through 12.
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