College of Education and Behavioral Sciences News

Educators across WKU’s service area have been honored as recipients of the 5^th annual Distinguished Educator Awards! This initiative is dedicated to honoring the exemplary educators who serve as the foundation of Kentucky’s educational system. These awards represent WKU’s deep commitment to celebrating the outstanding contributions of current P-12 teachers across the Commonwealth—because there are never enough ways to say, “thank you.”

This year’s winners are:

·      Elementary – Marcia Sharp – Campbellsville Elementary

·      Middle – Melissa Embry – Daviess County Middle School

·      High – MacKenzie Minton – Adair County High School

·      Special Education – Sarah Dakin – Central Hardin High School

·      Literacy – Jennifer Coldiron – Hopkins Elementary School (Somerset)

·      PE/Health – Heather Baker-Rigney – Somerset High School

·      Visual and Performing Arts – Trisha Hall – Green County Primary School

·      Innovation – Ecil Miller – Glasgow Middle School

·      Belonging – Danielle Meade – Daviess County Middle School

·      Teacher Mentor – Sara Appleby – Daviess County Middle School

·      Principal – Kyle McGraw – Bowling Green High School

School districts across the region nominate standout educators each spring. Superintendents submit district-level nominations, which are then evaluated by a selection committee composed of faculty from WKU’s School of Teacher Education.

Recognition includes:

• Certificates for all nominees
• Finalist recognition through WKU’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences website and social media platforms
• Category winners receive a cash award, commemorative plaque, and a place of honor on a perpetual plaque displayed in the Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame inside Gary Ransdell Hall on WKU’s Bowling Green campus
• Winners were surprised during an in-person recognition event at their schools

For more information on the WKU Distinguished Educator Awards, visit https://www.wku.edu/cebs/educatorawards.php.