Two local educators are semifinalists for the annual Kentucky Teacher of the Year award.
The Kentucky Department of Education and the award’s sponsor, Valvoline, announced eleven semifinalists from across the state.
Newport Middle School teacher Nathaniel Green is among four semifinalists in the middle school Teacher of the Year category while Highlands High School teacher Robin Kemp is one of four semifinalists in the high school teacher of the Year category.
One of the eleven semifinalists will be named Kentucky Teacher of the Year when the honor is presented at a September 20 ceremony in Frankfort.
Semifinalists the for elementary Teacher of the Year are:
- Rebecca Brewer, Norton Commons Elementary School (Jefferson County)
- Kelly Gates, Pride Elementary School (Hopkins County)
- Amber Hays, Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center (Henderson County)
The middle school semifinalists are:
- Caitlin Buckley, Kentucky School for the Deaf
- Nathaniel Green, Newport High School (Newport Independent Schools)
- Danielle Hicks, Clinton County Middle School
- Mandy Perez, Crittenden County Middle School
The high school semifinalists are:
- Cathy Conley, Knott County Central High School
- Robin Kemp, Highlands High School (Fort Thomas Independent)
- Lauren Niemann, Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County)
- Amber L. Sergent, Woodford County High School
“These award-winning teachers represent more than 40,000 of their colleagues from every school district in Kentucky who continue to serve their students and the teaching profession,” said Ky. Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass. “I congratulate them and thank all Kentucky teachers for their outstanding efforts every day to help prepare Kentucky’s students for successful futures.”
The 11 semifinalists were chosen based on their scores from the first round of judging, which was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators. Applications included nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities and letters of recommendation.
Interviews with the 11 semifinalists, combined with their application scores, will result in the selection of the 2023 Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year, a news release explained. The finalist with the highest cumulative score will be named the 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent the state in the 2023 National Teacher of the Year competition.
Valvoline will present the 24 recipients of the Teacher Achievement Award with a cash award and certificate during an awards ceremony in Frankfort on Sept. 20. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments.