The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) announced the selection of 22 outstanding Kentucky educators as recipients of the 2024 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards on July 5. These teachers qualify to compete for the 2024 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced in September.
As her six-month ambassadorship with the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) ends and she prepares to return to the classroom in the fall, 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Mandy Perez reflected on her experiences so far during a presentation to the Kentucky Board of Education on June 6.
Eminence Independent has an EDhub center that features several different avenues for students to have vibrant learning experiences. Photo by Mandy Perez, May 11, 2023 As the 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, I was interested in the idea of evolving traditional libraries into innovative campus hubs for schools. Little did I know that several Kentucky schools already [...]
An interactive, outdoor “museum” created by Woodford County High School students gave hundreds of elementary students the opportunity to learn more about important people and groups in Kentucky’s history.
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.
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.
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.
After more than 10 years, Breathitt County Schools will no longer be under any form of state management or assistance.
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?
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.