March 2023
2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year: I choose to stay
Every time you log into social media, turn on the TV, or speak to anyone who works in education, the harsh realities that are crippling educators are evident. Problems ranging from concerning legislation, challenging student behaviors, overwhelming work demands, toxic cultures, poor leadership, safety concerns, lack of support - the list goes on and on. These factors are contributing to many leaving the profession, and rightfully so, in many cases. Yet, I choose to stay.
KDE’s Teachers Advisory Council discusses advocacy efforts for educator retention with 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Mandy Perez joined the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE) Teachers Advisory Council (TAC) on March 7 to discuss advocacy efforts related to teacher retention.
February 2023
KDE offering sponsorship opportunities for Kentucky Teacher of the Year Program
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has issued a sponsorship opportunity for vendors to provide prizes, supplies, advertising and financial support for the Kentucky Teacher of the Year (KTOY) program and related awards ceremony.
2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year to fellow teachers: Be you and be real, because you matter
Rewind to March 2022. Just like every other teacher I know, I quickly scanned the 20,000 emails in my school inbox (if yours is less than that, share your secret) during my lunch period and skipped right over an email from “Kentucky Teacher of the Year.” Let’s face it – why would they be emailing me?
January 2023
2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year: Because I applied…
Almost two years ago, I quietly received an email that I was nominated for the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. I remember thinking that I would never be picked because I didn’t feel like I had done anything worth celebrating.
November 2022
Nominations open for 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Kentucky Teacher Awards.
September 2022
Crittenden County’s Mandy Perez named 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Mandy Perez, a 6th-grade English and language arts teacher [...]
2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Mandy Perez inspires students to fall in love with reading
When Mandy Perez was little, she remembers asking her elementary school teachers at the end of every school year for their extra worksheets. “I would take those worksheets home and play school with my little sister during the summertime,” she said. “I never stop learning, and I love working with children. It’s my passion in life.”
August 2022
11 Semifinalists named for 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year
Eleven outstanding teachers from across the state are semifinalists for the 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year award, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and Valvoline Inc. announced Aug. 1.
May 2022
2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year testifies before U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Willie Edward Taylor Carver Jr. testified before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in Washington, D.C., on May 19.