At LINK nky, we believe that educators – whether they are teachers or principals, tutors or superintendents – are at the heart of our community’s success. The Educator of the Week contest is our way of recognizing and celebrating the incredible educators who go above and beyond for Northern Kentucky students every day.
Each week, we will choose three nominees who have made an impact on their community and who represent a diverse mix of roles, grade levels, subject areas, school types, and geographic locations.
Click here for a full list of official rules and to nominate an educator.
The Educators
Educator: Nicholas Barron
Role: Teacher at Campbell County Middle School
Nominator: James Barron
Why James nominated Nicholas:
I’d like to nominate Mr. Barron for Northern Kentucky Educator of the Week. He’s a middle school music teacher and assistant marching band director who truly pours his heart into his students.
He’s a dedicated musician who uses his talents to shape the next generation. Whether he’s helping beginners learn their first notes or working with the marching band after school, he’s patient, encouraging, and always willing to put in extra time. His students know he believes in them, and it shows in their confidence and growth.
He doesn’t just teach music, he builds character, teamwork, and pride. Northern Kentucky is lucky to have an educator like Mr. Barron making a difference every single day.
Educator: Dana Wahl
Role: Teacher at Turkey Foot Middle School
Nominator: Patrick Walker
Why Walker nominated Wahl:
I would like to nominate my teacher for this award because she is always available for her students no matter what. She is always ready to help us in whatever way she can, whether it is academically or personally. She always takes her time to listen and give advice that really helps us. She is a very kind and patient person, and she always inspires us to give our best in whatever we do.
Educator: Chris Wheeler
Role: Teacher at Bellevue Independent Schools
Nominator: Tracey Elrod
Why Elrod nominated Wheeler:
Mr. Wheeler is one of the most dedicated teachers in Bellevue. Not only is he our district music teacher, but he is also our band director and coaches all three of our academic teams.
He speaks passionately about teaching and his love for our students, and he encourages every student who enters his classroom to be the best version of themselves. As a colleague, I can always count on Mr. Wheeler to bring great ideas to the table and see initiatives through to fruition. He is absolutely beloved in Bellevue and well-deserved of this nomination.
Now it’s time to vote
Voting opens at 3 p.m. on Mondays and closes at 3 p.m. to following Monday. Winners will be announced on Tuesday after voting has ended.
Vote as often as you like! There’s no limit to how many times you can show support for your favorite educator during the week.
Share the voting link with friends, family, students, and coworkers—the more people who know about your nominee, the more votes they can earn!
LINK nky encourages friendly competition and community spirit. We want to see entire classrooms, schools and neighborhoods rally behind their favorite educators.