Rachel Matthews, right, a gifted and talented teacher at Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet Elementary School (Fayette County), is presented with a $1,000 check by Bethany Denning, second from right, of Lexmark International Inc., which gave Matthews its first Educating Excellence Award of the 2016-17 school year. Student Caroline Blitch, left, and her father, Robert Blitch, represent the school at the presentation. Photo courtesy of Lexmark

Rachel Matthews, right, a gifted and talented teacher at Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet Elementary School (Fayette County), is presented with a $1,000 check by Bethany Denning, second from right, of Lexmark International Inc., which gave Matthews its first Educating Excellence Award of the 2016-17 school year. Student Caroline Blitch, left, and her father, Robert Blitch, represent the school at the presentation.
Photo courtesy of Lexmark

A Fayette County elementary teacher has been honored by Lexmark International Inc. with the company’s first Educating Excellence award of the 2016-17 school year. Rachel Matthews, a gifted and talented teacher at Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet Elementary School, was surprised in front of her students and colleagues.

Watch a video of the surprise announcement on YouTube.

Matthews believes in using the scientific method and inquiry-based learning wherever possible, and she designs instruction so her classes can explore unfamiliar topics through experimentation and hands-on activities. For example, students design carnival games using their knowledge of force, motion and physics.

The Educating Excellence program recognizes outstanding central Kentucky elementary, middle and high school science, technology, engineering and mathematics instructors with $1,000 cash awards. Fellow educators, administrators, students and community members may nominate any K-12 teacher they believe is worthy of the award. Eligible nominees must teach in Anderson, Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott or Woodford counties.