With the 2027 Kentucky Teacher of the Year ceremony on Sept. 9, now is a perfect time to highlight just how special the educators in Kentucky are to the communities they call home.

Robbie Fletcher

Kentucky Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher

The nine educators who earned 2027 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards represent the more than 40,000 fellow teachers in the Commonwealth who give extra effort to help our students achieve success. Their dedication to each and every student is what makes our communities so special.

Out of these nine teachers, KDE will announce winners of the elementary, middle and high school teaching divisions during a special ceremony on Sept. 9. From those three finalists, one will be named the 2027 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. That teacher will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

These educators are also a shining example of Kentucky’s vision for public education, United We Learn, which emphasizes vibrant learning experiences, encouraging innovation in our schools, and collaborating with our communities. Each of these educators fill their classrooms with engaging lessons that leave a lasting impact on their students because they remember just how vibrant their experiences were.

These educators are a lot like Michelle Gross, the 2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year out of Spencer County Middle School who was also a finalist for the national award this year, which is a truly astonishing feat. Getting to know Michelle and her story the last year has been a pleasure, and she has represented Kentucky so well. Her dedication to fostering vibrant learning experiences in the classroom and building relationships with families and her community has been a great example of the stellar work our teachers are doing to ensure students have an enriching education.

The most important factor in the achievement of our students is the effectiveness of the teachers and principals who serve them. As we continue to strive to offer all of Kentucky’s students the best education possible, it is important that we retain our current high-quality teachers and recruit more people to the teaching profession.

It’s important for us all to remember that our teachers cannot be alone in the quest for the best future for our students. We need everyone in our Commonwealth to be unified in supporting our students and helping them achieve the success they deserve.

So again, we celebrate our 2027 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award winners:

  • Elementary School
    • Nikki Janiak, Estes Elementary School (Owensboro Independent)
    • Kellie Moses, Garth Elementary School (Scott County)
    • Amanda O’Bryan, Old Mill Elementary School (Bullitt County)
  • Middle School
    • Katherine Sigmon Berner, Baker Intermediate School (Clark County)
    • Gregory Edens, Rosspoint Elementary School (Harlan County)
    • Trino Grau, Bryan Station Middle School (Fayette County)
  • High School
    • Paula Gieseke, Christian County High School
    • Brandon Riddle, duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
    • Molly Seifert, Beechwood High School (Beechwood Independent)

And while we are only highlighting nine of the best teachers in Kentucky through the Teacher Achievement Awards this year, many of these educators will be quick to point out just how special their fellow educators are, whether that’s within their own school buildings or throughout the greater Commonwealth of Kentucky. Each of these educators play a special role in the lives of our children and how they grow into engaged citizens within our communities.