Group of four people standing in front of a white background accepting an award.

Former Lyon County Director of Special Education Miranda B. Reed, second from right, was one of two recipients of the 2026 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education at the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE’s) Aug. 6 regular meeting. Presenting the award, from left, Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher, KBE Chair Lu S. Young and Vice Chair Holly Bloodworth. Photo by Myles Young, Kentucky Department of Education, Aug. 6, 2026

(FRANKFORT, KY) – Former Lyon County Director of Special Education Miranda B. Reed and the Oldham County Schools Exceptional Children Services Program were presented with the 2026 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education at the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE’s) meeting on Aug. 6.

Reed, who is now the superintendent of the Lyon County Schools, was recognized for her work as Lyon County’s director of special education, where she implemented forward-thinking initiatives that improved access, engagement and outcomes for students. She pioneered a peer mentoring program that pairs general education students with peers who have disabilities, empowering students with leadership opportunities while earning academic credit. This innovative model promotes inclusion, social growth and authentic student ownership beyond traditional instructional frameworks.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Grissom Award for Special Education Innovation,” Reed said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of an entire team committed to creating meaningful opportunities for students with disabilities.

“We are fortunate to have an incredible community that supports our students and provides employment opportunities for many of them. Our school prioritizes the needs of all students, ensuring that the resources and supports necessary for success are available to meet every learner’s unique needs.

“I am proud to work alongside a staff that lives out this belief every single day through their dedication, advocacy and unwavering commitment to students,” Reed said. “I am grateful to be part of a team that believes every student can achieve, deserves access to the supports they need and should be given the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

Oldham County’s Exceptional Children Services Program was recognized for its implementation of multiple initiatives to support students with disabilities transitioning to postsecondary education and/or the workforce after high school.

“Oldham County Schools Exceptional Children Services Department is honored to receive the Grissom Award from the Kentucky Department of Education,” said Jennifer Hallas, Oldham County’s director of specializing academic programming. “This recognition reflects our district’s unwavering commitment to ensuring every student has exceptional educational experiences that prepare every learner for a successful future.

“This achievement is the result of the collective work of our educators, staff, students, families and community partners,” Hallas said. “As a district, we will continue to lead with purpose, strengthen partnerships with families and pursue excellence in service to every child, every day.”

The Grissom Award is given each year to Kentuckians or a Kentucky organization to honor outstanding dedication to improving student achievement for students with disabilities. The award recognizes those who exhibit leadership, commitment and service to promote high student achievement through instructional equity and in closing the achievement gap for all children.

Group of people standing in front of a white background holding an award.

The Oldham County Schools Exceptional Children Services Program was one of two recipients of the 2026 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education at the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE’s) Aug. 6 regular meeting. From left, Parent Group Leader Cheri Kaulik, Assistant Director of Exceptional Children Services Sean Reeder, Parent Group Leader Melissa Vance, College and Career Readiness Coach Angela Lange, Director of Specialized Academic Programming Jennifer Hallas, KBE Chair Lu S. Young, Vice Chair Holly Bloodworth and Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher. Photo by Myles Young, Kentucky Department of Education, Aug. 6, 2026

Oldham County Schools Exceptional Children Services Program

Oldham County Schools (OCS) has implemented several initiatives to support students with disabilities transitioning to postsecondary education and/or the workforce after high school, according to their nominator, staff from the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC).

The Young Adult Transition Program provides individualized postsecondary programming for students who have completed the Alternate Assessment requirements.

“… The program emphasizes independence, self-determination, employability, financial literacy and community integration,” OVEC Chief of Learning Support Services Christel Bogar wrote in her nomination letter. “Students exit the program with a meaningful plan for adult life that includes job placement, living and housing exploration, and post-school follow-up.”

The college and career readiness (CCR) coach role has expanded the district’s reach to every secondary student with an Individual Education Plan (IEP), allowing OCS to build a coordinated transition pipeline that includes:

  • Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) are intended to help students with disabilities identify career interests. Pre-ETS, in partnership with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, currently serves more than 130 students with IEPs and is projected to exceed 200 with the expansion of the Zoom Group to Oldham County High School.
  • The After the Tassel Individualized Achievement Plan connects graduating seniors not pursuing college to full-time employment paying $15 or more an hour.
  • Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) Kentucky, serves roughly 100 students with employability skills, leadership and career exploration, with the CCR coach mentoring JAG specialists across the district.
  • Student Internships in HVAC, plumbing, electrical and diesel mechanics, provide hands-on experiences in skilled trades.

Oldham County has integrated modern, real-world learning into transition programming through virtual reality career exploration, Junior Achievement curriculum and partnerships with Jefferson Community and Technical College and Future 42. Work-based learning has expanded considerably, including the Inspire to Hire Career Fair, Churchill Downs Mini-Internships, Baptist Health LaGrange and Lynn Family Stadium experiences, Bogar wrote.

The district also has delivered a series of parent workshops on transition supports, employment options, independent living, postsecondary pathways, financial planning, Medicaid and guardianship, equipping families to take actionable steps on their child’s behalf.

Lyon County Director of Special Education Miranda B. Reed

With 18 years of experience from classroom instruction to district-level administration, Reed transformed special education services by “blending compliance with creativity, ensuring excellence while expanding opportunity for students with disabilities,” Aimee Brown, Lyon County Board of Education member, wrote in the letter nominating Reed.

Reed consistently leveraged innovation to remove barriers to learning, including the introduction of the first smart board technology into Lyon County classrooms, expanding instructional accessibility and enhancing learning experiences for students with diverse needs.

“Her leadership in assistive technology procurement, made possible through competitive grant writing, has ensured students receive individualized supports aligned with best practices,” her nominator wrote.

Reed’s work has been recognized not just locally, but at the state level as well. She was named the 2023 West Kentucky Distinguished Administrator of the Year. Her work was recognized by KDE for district success during COVID-19 for advancing opportunities for Deaf and Hard of Hearing students to compete at the state level, and by the Council for Exception Children for innovative student outcomes with the “Yes I Can” Award.

“The greatest innovations happen when we listen to students, collaborate with families and educators, and focus on what every learner can achieve,” said Reed. “True innovation in special education is not just about creating new programs or practices, but it is about recognizing the potential in every student, removing barriers and ensuring that all learners have the opportunity to succeed.”

During her tenure as director of special education and preschool coordinator at Mayfield Independent Schools, Reed led a districtwide co-teaching initiative, redefining collaborative instruction between special and general educators.

“This initiative strengthened inclusive practices, improved instructional quality and enhanced access to grade-level curriculum for students with disabilities,” Brown wrote.

Reed also is a leader in professional learning, mentoring educators and administrators across Kentucky. She has presented at state conferences, served in leadership roles within the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children and instructed aspiring administrators at the university level.

She became superintendent of Lyon County Schools on July 1.

“As Awards Committee Chair, I’m truly proud to recognize two 2026 Grissom Award recipients whose work reflects what innovation in special education looks like in practice,” said Julie Pile, KBE member. “Oldham County’s Exceptional Children Services Program stands out for building real pathways for students with disabilities – connecting individualized transition supports to authentic career exploration, community partnerships and meaningful post-school options. And we’re equally honored to recognize Miranda B. Reed, former Lyon County Director of Special Education, whose leadership has consistently removed barriers and expanded access through inclusive, student-centered practices – from strengthening collaboration and co-teaching, to building inclusive peer supports, to expanding assistive technology and systems that help students thrive.

“In two different ways, these honorees remind us that special education should expand possibilities – and they are doing exactly that for students, educators and families across the Commonwealth,” she said.

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