(FRANKFORT, Ky.) — David Couch, the Kentucky Department of Education’s associate commissioner for the Office of Education Technology, has received the 2017 William T. Nallia Award from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA).

David Couch

David Couch

KASA’s board of directors presents the award annually to an education leader who reflects a spirit of innovation and cutting-edge leadership while bringing higher levels of success to all children. Couch was recognized at KASA’s Annual Leadership Institute.

“This award is a recognition of what many individuals in Kentucky K-12 education from many different organizations have done well over 25 years, working cooperatively together as one team toward a common education technology goal, rather than about me,” Couch said.

Couch is the third person from KDE to receive the award since it was created in 2005, joining Rhonda Sims (2010) and former commissioner of education Gene Wilhoit (2006). Roger Marcum, a former chairman of the Kentucky Board of Education, was a 2016 recipient.

For more than 25 years, Couch has devoted himself to one goal: equipping Kentucky’s schools with the best array of technology hardware and software available, allowing students to become globally competitive, regardless of where they live. He has maintained an unwavering commitment to improving educational opportunities for Kentucky’s children without regard to political expediency or popular opinion. He understands that, for many Kentucky students, particularly those in Eastern Kentucky where he grew up, a robust technology infrastructure is their best hope for a productive life.

“For 25 years, David has combined passion and focus to deliver incredible opportunities to Kentucky’s students, by personally making sure their access to technology is second to none. His dedication to the task has given them the gift of a brighter future,” KASA Executive Director Wayne Young said.

Representing nearly 3,100 education leaders, KASA has members in every school district in the commonwealth. KASA has been connecting education leaders to policymakers, legislators and other interest groups in addition to providing numerous benefits and services to Kentucky’s school administrators for more than 40 years.