Graphic reading: Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award. Nomination deadline Nov. 12, 2021

The Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) is accepting nominations for the 2021 Kevin C. Brown Strategic Priority Award.

The pandemic has highlighted the critical need for additional focus on the social and emotional well-being of students. The 2021 award seeks to recognize a person, group, organization, district, school or postsecondary institution who, through policy, practice, fundraising or philanthropy – and despite any challenges – has made it a top priority to address the social and emotional needs of Kentucky’s students.

The award is named for Kevin C. Brown, who served the Kentucky Department of Education in various roles from 2004 to 2018. Most recently, Brown served as the interim commissioner of education from December 2019 to September 2020.

Brown’s time at the department throughout 2020 was marked with significant challenges that called for strategic educational leadership and clear ongoing communication that was forward-thinking, action-oriented and aimed at advancing efforts to educate, feed and support Kentucky’s 650,000 students during a global pandemic.

Nominations will be accepted online through Nov. 12. The recipient of the award will be approved at KBE’s December meeting and the award will be presented at the February meeting.