Kentucky Teacher

Four Eastern Kentuckians have earned regional recognition for making significant contributions to advance education in their home communities.

Receiving Forward in the Fifth’s 2012 Appalachian Leaders in Education (AppLE) Awards for going “above and beyond” in their efforts to support education were Kelly Bell, principal at Metcalfe County High School; Rob Lester, pharmacist/proprietor of Pike County; parent volunteer Michelle Combs of Perry County; and Estill County student Abbey Alexandra Witt.

The awards were presented recently at Education Leadership Day at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing low educational attainment levels in the region, also presented U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) with the 2012 AppLE Visionary Award in recognition of his creation in 1986 of the organization, also an affiliate of The Center for Rural Development. Read the full story

Three of Kentucky’s top education supporters were recognized for their work in helping advance education in Southern and Eastern Kentucky at Forward in the Fifth’s 25^th anniversary celebration and “Unbridled Learning” Educational Summit on  Nov. 7 on the campus of Hazard Community and Technical College.

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), the visionary behind the creation of Forward in the Fifth, was presented Forward in the Fifth’s inaugural AppLE (Appalachian Leaders in Education) award for his role in establishing the nonprofit organization in 1986.

Rogers, in turn, personally recognized two other education leaders at the event for their contributions to education reform.

Gene Wilhoit, executive director of the national Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and former Kentucky Commissioner of Education, and Paul E. Patton, president of the University of Pikeville and two-term Kentucky governor, were presented Difference Maker Awards from Congressman Rogers for making a positive impact on education in the region and throughout the entire commonwealth. Read the full story