2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Michelle Gross
Michelle Gross grew up playing school with her dolls and little sisters, but it wasn’t until her high school graduation that she made the decision to pursue teaching as a career. Watching a young man she had tutored cross the stage to receive his diploma, knowing she had a hand in his success, caused her to make that decision. And 25 years later, she knows it was the right decision.
Gross earned both her Bachelor’ degree in Middle Grades Mathematics and English in 2003 and Masters degrees as a Reading/Writing Specialist in 2004 from University of the Cumberlands. She later earned her National Board Certification in 2010.
As an educator, Gross has 22 years of experience teaching math and language arts. She
currently teaches 7th grade math at Spencer County Middle School in Taylorsville, KY. She loves helping her students to see the relevance of math in their everyday lives. Her goal is to create meaningful and engaging projects and lessons that will have a lasting impact on the students.
She is very passionate about project-based learning and watching students show they are
capable of learning at high levels, something that simply taking tests doesn't always show.
In addition to 2026 Teacher of the Year, Gross was a finalist for the Presidential Award for
Excellence in Mathematics Education as well as Campbellsville Excellence in Teaching awardee. She is married to Mike, also a Spencer County employee and mom to Micah, who is embarking on his middle school journey.