Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

March 15, 2018 Clemens Fine Arts Theatre

Kentucky Community and Technical College System

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program

March 15, 2018 • 5 p.m.

Welcome

Master of Ceremonies Dr. David Heflin, Vice President of Academic Affairs West Kentucky Community & Technical College and Lee Emmons, Vice President of Institutional Advancement West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Message from President

Dr. Anton R. Reece, President West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Musical Selections

Calvin Cole Jr., musician accompanied by Donovan Woods and Amanda Wilson, soloist

Featured Speaker

Dr. Lucian Yates, veteran educator and founder of The Yates Group

Presentation of Awards Dr. Reece, Dr. Heflin, Lee Emmons, and

Cornelia Reece, first lady of

West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Distinguished Faculty (Pre-kindergarten - 5th grade) Distinguished Faculty (6th-12th grade) Distinguished Administrator Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Staff President’s Awards

Dr. Reece

Closing Remarks

Dr. Reece

Please remain seated as the nominees and procession leaves the theatre.

Join us in the Clemens Student Center for a reception.

Special thanks to the Chef Jessi Donald and WKCTC’s catering staff, the WKCTC Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship planning committee

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Dr. Anton R. Reece was named the second president of West Kentucky Community and Technical College in August 2016, after serving more than 26 years in higher education.

Dr. Reece began his education career at Paducah Community College (now WKCTC) in 1990 as a minority affairs coordinator and counselor. By the time he joined the administrative team at University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 2003, he was WKCTC’s Dean of Student Affairs and enrollment. Dr. Reece brings extensive student success, enrollment, retention and graduation expertise to WKCTC. For the past 13 years, Dr. Reece has successfully served students in various roles at the University of Tennessee, including Coordinator of Academic Support, Director of Student Activities, Executive Director of Student Success and Associate Vice Provost of Academic Affairs. Dr. Reece is an honor graduate with a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting news and a master’s degree in counseling from Eastern Kentucky University, twenty-four hours above his master’s from Murray State University, and a doctorate in educational psychology at the University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

Dr. Lucian Yates III has served in a variety of education roles in Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Dr. Yates has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, superintendent, professor, and dean. Currently, he is dean of graduate services at Tennessee State University. He has distinguished himself as a leader, builder, and a consummate educator, having served as an assistant superintendent in the Louisville City Schools and also a professor of educational leadership at the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University. He is a sought after speaker and trainer and currently manages The Yates Group. He was invited to the former Soviet Union to work with teachers and principals as they moved from Communism to Democracy. Dr. Yates was featured on a call-in talk show with Secretary of Labor, Robert Reich, Secretary of Education, Richard Reilly, and President Bill Clinton to discuss school-to-work initiatives. Dr. Yates’ role as superintendent was featured in the December 2002 edition of U.S. News and World Report and the January 2003 edition of The New Yorker. Additionally, he was awarded the Ohio Social Studies Teacher of the Year and the Outstanding Young Professional award.

Calvin Cole, Jr., the son of Dr. Pastor Calvin Cole, Sr. and Fannie Cole of Paducah, attended Paducah Tilghman High School, Paducah Community College and West Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School. He has worked in the Property Valuation Administration Office for 27 years with a Senior Kentucky Assessor Designation and also works at Home Depot. A member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church where he plays for the choir. Mr. Cole has been a musician for more than 30 years, having started in middle school.

Amanda J. Wilson started singing at an early age. Her musical journey began in Chicago, IL, before arriving in Paducah, KY. She is currently employed through the University of Kentucky as a 4-H Youth Development Agent with McCracken County Cooperative Extension Service. An active member of Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church, Ms. Wilson’s musical experience began by singing in the youth choirs at Lilydale First Baptist Church of Chicago. Ms. Wilson has sung with, as well as directed, college and church choirs across the state of Illinois. In January of 2018, Ms. Wilson introduced herself as a solo artist named Amanda Joyce. She released her first single titled, “Be Free.”

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West Kentucky Community & Technical College Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.

- Marian Wright Edelman West Kentucky Community and Technical College’s Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program honors educators who have gone beyond their daily responsibilities and played a tremendous role in the shaping of education in our region and provides assistance to future educators. Specifically, the award program seeks to: • Recognize outstanding contributions to pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, elementary and secondary education as well as the advancement of understanding and support for continued education • Honor the vital role all our educators, administrators, and supporters play in education.

“The Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program is a small gesture that provides important recognition to a few of the countless educators who work tirelessly on behalf of all their students in our region,” said WKCTC President Anton Reece. “We know we have great secondary partners throughout our region who do what they do because they love it and not for recognition, but we feel they should be recognized because of the vital role they play.”

In conjunction with the awards program, a scholarship for WKCTC students studying to become educators has been established to encourage and assist our region’s future educators.

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“Education is the most powerful weapon we can use to change the world.”

– Nelson Mandela

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West Kentucky Community & Technical College Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program

NOMINATIONS West Kentucky Community and Technical College received more than 40 nominations from students, parents and fellow colleagues recognizing the work and dedication in elementary and secondary schools throughout the region.

Distinguished Faculty

(Pre-kindergarten - 5th grade) Susan Crawford, Ruby Simpson Child Development Center/Murray Head Start lead teacher and supervisor “Susan Crawford … is an amazing teacher whose passion for teaching is evident in the way she makes learning a fun and positive experience. Preschool is the foundation of how these students feel about learning, and Ms. Susan makes each and every student feel like they are important and encourages them to learn. She goes above and beyond for her students by creating a fun learning experience every day. Even when we had budget cuts she made sure her students could go on field trips to the farm and a theater production on the Murray State University campus. She always greets students and parents with a smile every school day.”

Amy Haskins-Crowe, Concord Elementary School second grade teacher “My daughter has Mrs. Crowe for reading. She’s tough; her reading class is challenging, and she expects a lot. That said, her enthusiasm and high energy is contagious and makes learning fun no matter how challenging it may be. Her students look forward to returning to school each day and she has a knack for making each student want to do their very best. Her natural ability to engage her students is phenomenal and her classroom is so hands-on and interactive, full of life and activity! I suspect it makes it hard for the other teachers as her students move onto to higher grades.

They have some pretty big shoes to fill.”

Tara Jayne “T. J.” Davidson, Concord Elementary School first grade teacher “At the beginning of 1st grade my child had to have a surgery and was out for two weeks. Mrs. Davidson went above and beyond checking on her, getting her assignments ready, even sending her a card and teddy bear. She helped her get back in the groove of school once she was healthy enough to return. She has been such a bright and loving spirit to my child and all the other children. Any help my child needs she offers.

My child adores her and when she is not in school, she misses being around her. I feel as a parent you should not only want your child’s education to be first, but also want to know they are taken care of and loved when they are not with you and Mrs. Davidson makes me, as a parent, feel this way.”

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Distinguished Faculty (Pre-kindergarten - 5th grade) Lindsey Halvorson, Concord Elementary School second grade teacher “Our son was a little behind as he came into Concord Elementary in first grade. The school we transferred from was far behind Concord standards when he arrived in first grade. Therefore, he struggled his first year. We as his parents tutored him, hired a tutor, and used a tutoring service in order to catch him up. Then when entering 2nd grade we spoke with Mrs. Halvorson about where he was at and she agreed to watch him and let us know how he was doing.

Not only did she do just that, she allowed him to get involved, volunteer, and even have some leadership in the class.

These things made all the difference! He comes home with smiles and feeling accomplished. We feel that it’s given him a renewed sense of confidence! He is still working hard to get up to where Concord wants him to be, but we feel that he has really blossomed under Mrs. Halvorson’s love and leadership! So, myself and my wife would like to nominate Mrs. Halvorson for this award, we imagine that she treats many other students besides just our son the same way, making her a spectacular teacher!”

Shannon Hokanson-Rondon, St. Mary Elementary School preschool teacher Mrs. Hokanson-Rondon “… is a great pre-kindergarten educator, who just started working at the school in 2017. She goes above and beyond on teaching young kids how to listen, obey, and take leadership to another level. She teaches kids how to interact with others by learning to compromise, play and communicate with each other. She is a great educator and my family feels she is a great candidate for this award.”

Kendra Deshea Hubbard, Reidland Elementary School preschool teacher “Mrs. Hubbard goes above and beyond every single minute of her day for my son and for all of the students in her care. She will research and learn any chance she has to try different techniques for any special need that a student may have..

Mrs. Hubbard deserves to be recognized for the amazing work she does every day. She is so humble that any time I try to thank her in front of others for her amazing achievements with my son, she ALWAYS puts credit back to me for what I do with him. She is the miracle worker though. She spends three magical hours with him every morning and makes my life a million times easier. When she finds something that works, she immediately tells me so that I can continue the work at home. She is by far, one of the best educators I have had the pleasure of knowing in all of my life as a parent.”

Valerie Kemp, Concord Elementary School second grade teacher “She genuinely cares for all her students. She treats them with respect and kindness. My daughter loves her!

She made learning fun and exciting for my daughter.”

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Distinguished Faculty (Pre-kindergarten - 5th grade) Debbie Steele Moss, Community Christian Academy kindergarten teacher “In 1973, Mrs. Moss began her career as an educator. Her four decades of teaching includes serving as Paducah City Schools’ first ever kindergarten teacher and have found her shaping young minds in classrooms at both McNabb Elementary and Community Christian Academy. Today, 45 years after she began, Mrs. Moss still brings her energy, passion and integrity to the classroom. She is the finest example of professionalism for future educators. As a former student of Mrs. Moss, and the parent of one of her current kindergarten students, I am uniquely situated to speak to her excellence. Over 30 years ago, I was her student and she taught me to love learning. Now, I am blessed to watch my daughter begin her educational career under Mrs. Moss’s exceptional instruction. Most importantly, it is in Mrs. Moss’s character to seek no recognition for her personal excellence and it is for this reason alone that she is the most deserving of this commendation.”

Bailey Frances Wolfe, Concord Elementary School first grade teacher “Since the day my daughter stepped foot in Mrs. Wolfe’s class two years ago, she has been a great influence to her.

Mrs. Wolfe communicated with me almost daily on her progress in class and also to give me resources on how to better help her outside of the classroom to help her in areas that she may have been struggling in. If there was ever a day that my daughter was walking into school feeling down or upset, Mrs. Wolfe would always go out of her way to talk to her and try to cheer her up. She encouraged us to let her know if the kids were having a bad day so that she could greet them with a hug. My daughter is now in the 3rd grade and is just as much of an influence in her life as she was when she was her student. Mrs. Wolfe has watched her dance competitions on the weekends when that is her time away from her job to be with her family and because of her warm loving attitude has influenced my child to want to be a teacher. Mrs. Wolfe definitely deserves to be recognized for all of the good work she has done for the children at Concord!”

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Distinguished Faculty (6th - 12th grade) Stephanie Duke, Graves County High School science teacher “As a teacher and department chair in our building, even on a district level, Stephanie has always been asked to wear many hats. However, it was not until teaching WITH her in a project-based learning course that I realized the actual level of work she puts in to day-to-day. Everything is covered with meticulous care, and the fact that she’s tired or it’s Friday afternoon or any other variety of excuses the common person uses never comes up for her. If it’s 10 p.m. on a weeknight and something isn’t done the way she wants it, it’s getting redone before she goes to sleep that night. There are no days when we “let this or that go” in the classroom; those high expectations are EVER present, and the kids know it, while maintaining a fabulous rapport with her.”

Allison Nichole Green, St. Mary High School mathematics teacher “Allison Green is a teacher that excels above the call of duty both inside and outside of the classroom. She demonstrates her caring and compassionate dedication to her students through numerous examples. Although she is a part time teacher, she maintains full time hours. She willingly gives up her free time at lunch, after school, or on the weekends to help tutor and mentor her students or volunteer for class fund raisers. In addition, she frequently attends sporting events to show her love and dedication to her students. One of Mrs. Green’s greatest strengths is her power of positive motivation. Her students constantly comment on her bubbly personality, math puns, and how excited and passionate she is in the classroom. She celebrates her students’ victories and refuses to give up on students’ losses. Her students know that she is a positive resource for them regardless of the circumstances. They know that she will help them to her abilities whether they are having issues with academics, friends, family, or other.

In addition, students who Mrs. Green taught years ago return to St. Mary to visit her as a testament of the solid bonds she creates and enhances through her teaching skills.”

Gena Maley, Murray Middle School visual arts teacher “Gena is a dedicated educator who truly cares about her students as well as the quality of education throughout the state. She is well respected by the faculty as she has been elected to serve on our school-based decision making (SBDM) committee numerous times and she is also well respected at the district level as she has been asked to serve on several District-Wide committees. Gena has been chosen to serve as a regional representative to the Kentucky Department of Education Arts Advisory Board and has served on the state Program Review team, visiting regional schools to determine their level of compliance. Gena offers an Art Club before school with a different group meeting every morning. She has to offer a meeting every day to allow all the students who are interested to participate. She structures all her lessons so that students are allowed opportunities for their individual creativity in projects that are based on the National Standards as well as our previous 4.1 standards. She is encouraging and positive with both students and faculty members. She touches all are lives in such a wonderful way and is definitely an example of the best in an educator.”

Lynn E. Pesoat, McCracken County High School art teacher “Ms. Pesoat has worked tirelessly throughout her career to instill a love of art in her students. She has been a community builder within our field, making connections between our program and the art community at large. She has also volunteered to organize the Kentucky Art Educator Exhibition for our region for the last several years. Ms. Pesoat is an authentic artist and maker, maintaining her own art studio and practice outside of work. Ms. Pesoat is more than deserving of this acknowledgment and as she is reaching retirement the timing couldn’t be better.”

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Distinguished Faculty (6th - 12th grade) Jennifer S. Shidal, McCracken County High

School English/language arts teacher

“Jennifer is what we call a ‘runner’ at McCracken County High School. A runner helps propel the organization in a forward direction by working as hard as possible and being involved in anything she can be involved in. She comes in early, stays late, and never (ever) complains. She is one of the strongest members of our team and is a reason why our school is so successful. With all of that said, she also is one of the finest teachers we have at our school. She not only understands her content, but she understands her students as well. She has the most friendly personality you will come across and she can easily build a rapport with her students and her colleagues. With all of the great things she does around the school, Jennifer never lets her ego (grow). In fact, she has no ego and is one of the most humble people I have been around. For example, she teaches mainly Advanced Placement English classes, yet she volunteers to work all dances, she helps coordinate project graduation, she sells tickets at ballgames, helps lead our speech and debate team, and will pitch in for any other duties that are asked of her. She also is called upon each year to mentor new teachers and work with our student teachers. She is exactly the type of model we want all aspiring teachers to aim for.”

Shand Stamper, McCracken County High School jewelry, metal and arts teacher “Mrs. Stamper is an awesome teacher who goes above and beyond with her students. She has the ability to truly draw out talent from many areas. She is nice and enjoys being around her students. She wants to make us laugh and learn, but also teaches us that there is so much more to teaching than just the mundane day-to-day grind. She is amazing.”

Kathy Aileen Thweatt, Fulton High School science teacher “Kathy Thweatt works tirelessly to ensure her students are not only learning and enjoying the process but are also taken care of in all capacities; she has helped students who did not have a bed to sleep on or enough food at home to get through the week. She has also been a wonderful mentor and works as a resource teacher for multiple Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP) teachers.”

Ashley Woodruff, McCracken County High School family and consumer science teacher “Mrs. Woodruff is a kind and encouraging teacher who helps her students achieve greatness. Her students were awarded the Elite Top 50 award for culinary, she leads the local Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter, teaches about ways to apply cooking to the real world, and has significant connections in the culinary industry that helps get her students internships with chefs at places like Freight House and Harrah’s Casino. Ashley Woodruff is an all-around amazing educator, leader, and person who goes above and beyond for her students and the people in the community.”

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Distinguished Administrator Amy Scoggins Carrico, Community Christian Academy principal “Mrs. Carrico shows love to every single student every single day and goes out of her way to help us in whatever we need. She challenges us every month with a new project that will grow our desire for learning. She is so passionate about Community Christian Academy (CCA) and there’s no way of knowing where we would be without her guidance and determination.”

Ellen Murphy, Fulton County High School principal “I want to nominate Mrs. Ellen Murphy for this award not only for the wonderful things that she does for her students and staff, but for the person she is. Mrs. Murphy is the most selfless person I know. Since she has become principal at Fulton County High School, the whole culture of the school has changed. She encourages her staff and students each day and is always willing to put aside her duties to listen if others have problems. She sets goals for her students and staff and they reach those goals because of her encouragement. She never settles for second best and in her first few years as principal she brought us from a school that needed improvement to one that was considered a school of distinction. She encouraged our students to finish high school and since she has been in charge, we’ve had a 100% graduation rate and 100% college and career readiness rating. Our ACT scores went from around a 15 to a 19.3. This is all because the students want to please her, because they can see how much she truly cares. I’ve seen her pay out of her own pocket for students and even make sure that they had groceries and all the necessities they needed at home to succeed at school. She doesn’t forget them when they graduate either. She continues to check on our college students and will even travel to their universities to check on them and make sure they have everything they need. She does this because she loves our students like they are her own children and not at all for the recognition. I am nominating her because I want her to see that others notice how much she cares and appreciate all that she does. I cannot believe that there is another principal that gives the way she does.”

Ginger Stewart, Concord Elementary School principal “Mrs. Stewart holds herself to the same high standard to which she holds her staff and her students. Concord Elementary School has a reputation for excellence due to Mrs. Stewart’s leadership and example. She genuinely cares about each and every single student and ensures that each student has the tools needed for success. If a student is falling behind and the parent is uninvolved to the point of refusing to respond to a request for a parent/ teacher conference, she’s been known to track that parent down and insist they come to the school to discuss their child’s needs. I don’t think she knows anyone is aware of how above and beyond she will go for our kids, but that one example is proof of how much she cares and pretty remarkable, in my opinion. I turned down a lucrative job offer in another state because I know that the education my daughter is receiving at Concord Elementary School will be instrumental in her future success as a middle and high school student. I cannot stress enough how much Ginger Stewart is responsible for this.”

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Distinguished Administrator Allison Stieg, Paducah Tilghman High School assistant principal and dean of students “Allison Stieg is a phenomenal dean of students at Paducah Tilghman High School. She is consistent, fair, and timely when it comes to student discipline, and she is a wonderful support system to her faculty/staff members.

Students respect Mrs. Stieg in her position because she treats them with respect, and we teachers have nothing but the utmost respect for the amazing job she does in this building. Paducah Tilghman would fall apart without Allison Stieg; she’s the glue that holds us together, teachers and students alike. I can’t think of a better nominee for the Distinguished Administrator Award. Please consider Allison Stieg for this honor. She rarely gets recognized for the outstanding work she does at Paducah Tilghman High School; nonetheless, Mrs. Stieg never fails to give 110% to those around her: students who need a little tough love, discipline, or guidance and those of us who depend on her to be our fearless leader.”

Donna L. Wear, Commonwealth Middle College principal “For eight years Mrs. Wear has been organizing schedules, being a mentor, being guidance counselor, and for many being a mother for hundreds of kids who might not have had it otherwise… She has helped me with troubles at home. She has never hesitated or had second thoughts about helping us with anything even money. Mrs. Wear has been an irreplaceable person in my life. She has impacted my life in so many ways; mostly because she is the most amazing and astonishing person I’ve ever met. She is the reason many people who wouldn’t of gotten an education at all are getting an associate degree for free. I can never thank Mrs. Wear enough for everything she has done.”

Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Staff Award The Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Staff Award is named after WKCTC first lady Cornelia Reece.

Mrs. Reece has more than 27 years of experience working with students and families in grades K-12 in McCracken County, the City of Paducah and the post-secondary fields. Mrs. Reece has made contributions that address building a positive relationship among family, school and community in both Kentucky and Tennessee.. Among many noted activities, Mrs. Reece has • Organized and implemented a Community-Based Site Steering Committee and a Neighborhood Partners Coalition • Increased the number of attendees to the Project GRAD Knoxville Annual Parent Conference from 47 to over 700 in attendance • Successfully developed a partnership with University of Tennessee - Knoxville to implement an early college\readiness program for students and parents grade 5th and 8th • Co-authored a manuscript titled “Lessons Learned from a Neighborhood Based Collaboration to Increase Parent Engagement” that was published in The School Community Educational Journal • Conducted training for parents, school administrators & staff on building effective family engagement Mrs. Reece and her husband, WKCTC President Anton Reece, have been married for 27 years and have two daughters.

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Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Staff Award Heather Vashti Anderson, Paducah Public Schools families in transition coordinator “Though many do not realize what our students encounter daily, Paducah Public Schools currently serves nearly 200 students whose families do not have a permanent residence. They may be sleeping on the floors of friends’ homes, and often struggle to find necessities like food, school supplies, and toiletries. Heather Anderson serves the Paducah Public Schools district as the coordinator for our families in transition. This year alone, Heather has coordinated efforts that have re-homed dozens of students, provided toiletries and food for scores of families, and provided Christmas “gifts” that to most of us are simply possessions-things like clothes, deodorant, and notebooks for school. Heather understands that our students need a safe place to go home to if they are going to be successful in our classrooms and she works around the clock with every school in the district, serving thousands of students to ensure that they can be. She regularly stays with students after school to provide monitored tutoring and snacks when they have nowhere else to go. It is nearly impossible to summarize with such brevity how much I admire the work that she does, but she certainly deserves recognition for being one of our greatest heroes.”

Lakilia S. Bedeau, Paducah Tilghman High School director of Tornado Alley Youth Services Center Mrs. Bedeau “… works tirelessly day in and day out for all students at Paducah Tilghman High School. However, she is passionate about assisting those who face adversity. Those who are fighting to break the generational cycle and negative mind-set. She empowers students and families by helping to remove the non-academic barriers they are facing. I see it as giving those who otherwise wouldn’t have a fighting chance an opportunity to be successful. Lakilia is a great role model and she is real. She relates to the students because she was once in their shoes. Not having the support system she needed while growing up, her goal is to pour into the students what wasn’t given to her. And lastly, she not only wants to help students but give them the tools they need to continue helping themselves in the future.”

LeToun Shuriva Bledsoe, Ballard County Elementary School custodian “I wholeheartedly nominate Mr. LeToun Bledsoe for the Unsung Hero award. Mr. Bledsoe has served the school district in many capacities. His primary role is custodian but he also goes above and beyond for students each and every day in various other roles in the district. Mr. Bledsoe has exemplified this through his willingness over the years to coach basketball, football, and track before and after work hours. However, his strongest attribute is his ability to mentor, guide, and impact students’ lives not only in school but in life as well. On many occasions Mr. Bledsoe voluntarily takes the initiative to work with students in the hallways, classrooms and athletic events making those very important positive connections and building genuine relationships. Through his selfless actions, Mr. Bledsoe fills a huge void for students through his father-like discussions with students. Mr. Bledsoe is a great role model with an infectious smile and positive attitude that students, parents and staff cherish and is ever so important for our students’ success. Mr. Bledsoe’s daily presence and actions make Ballard County Schools and our community a better place.”

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Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Staff Award Teresa M. Butler, Murray Middle School attendance secretary “Teresa Butler is every person’s best friend and colleague. She ensures every child is taken care of at Murray Middle from the time they arrive until they leave, and sometimes even after school hours. She knows every child’s name within the first week and can tell you who the parents are and where they live, including their siblings without the assistance of Infinite Campus. If a child is in need of lunch money and the parent is not available, she will give them the money to eat lunch. If the student needs materials to complete a project she will get the items from her home craft materials or even go buy what they need. I have witnessed her go and buy a needed coat or tennis shoes for a student and she never wants to be recognized for this. Every student and parent at Murray Middle School knows they can count on Ms. Butler to take care of them. Recently, a parent was unable to work in the concession stand at a basketball game. Ms. Butler did not hesitate to cook popcorn and serve it to patrons until the parent arrived for her shift. No one asked her, she just did it!”

Elzbieta A. Hornbeak, Community Christian Academy music teacher “Mrs. H, as her students call her, is an amazing inspiration to all of us. She has shaped the music department at CCA in the few short months that she has been here. She makes students eager to go to music class and play and become better musicians. She is the reason that I have decided to want to become a music teacher.”

Brigette Thompson, McCracken County High School library media specialist “This is Brigette’s first year as librarian at McCracken County High School. She has taken on this role with complete enthusiasm. She has succeeded in making the library a fun, inviting place for students and learning.

She has brought not only knowledge and love for research but creativity and heart as well. For example, Brigette has created a Google classroom full of research information and websites for students to use. She also attended a conference early in the year and brought back the amazing idea of breakout games. This has been the biggest hit of the year. Students have stayed after school competing with other students and classes have used the games for team building and learning. I have also witnessed students seeking her out in the library to ask advice on English topics, research, or simply to talk to. I nominate Brigette for this award because she demonstrates enthusiasm, positivity, and love for her job, her school, and the students of McCracken County High School.”

West Kentucky Community and Technical College is a thriving, comprehensive community and technical college where more than 8,000 students annually change their futures with short-term training, programs geared to today’s workplace opportunities, or courses that will count toward a bachelor’s degree when they transfer.

The College offers more than 200 associate degree, diploma, and certificate options in more than 30 academic and technical programs. Students come first at WKCTC with flexible scheduling choices, convenient locations, and dedicated instructors committed to student success.

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West Kentucky Community & Technical College

Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program Special Thanks West Kentucky Community and Technical College would like to thank our 2018 Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program sponsors:

GOLD SPONSOR

BRONZE SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSOR Paducah Junior College, Inc. With the help of these generous partners, a scholarship fund has been established for WKCTC students preparing for careers in K-12 education, early childhood education, or education support majors.

All individuals and businesses are invited to contribute to the scholarship fund. Gifts can be made in honor of Regional Educators Award recipients or others to provide a meaningful and lasting tribute to the honoree.

Making a gift to the Regional Educators Scholarship Fund for Future Educators is easy! Checks made out to Paducah Junior College (PJC) can be mailed to P.O. Box 7380, Paducah, KY 42002, with Regional Educators Scholarship indicated; gifts can be made online by going to westkentucky.kctcs.edu, clicking on Giving, then Give Online Now, and entering Regional Educators Scholarship when prompted for the scholarship name; or by calling 270-534-3080 with credit card information. PJC is the charitable foundation that supports WKCTC, and gifts are tax deductible according to IRS standards.

Thank you for your support of education!

WKCTC’s Office of Advancement You can help change lives by making a charitable contribution to support education at WKCTC! A nationally award-winning institution, WKCTC has a strong commitment to excellence in education. Gifts from individuals, corporations, foundations and other organizations help us fulfill this commitment, paving the way to better lives and stronger communities. Our students benefit from the generosity of donors who believe that an investment in education is an investment in the future of our region. Many opportunities for giving are available – all make a lasting difference. Paducah Junior College, Inc. (PJC) is the charitable foundation for West Kentucky Community and Technical College. Your gift to PJC is tax deductible. Please contact us to learn more about options for giving to Paducah Junior College and WKCTC.

For more information, contact Lee Emmons at 270-534-3084 or lee.emmons@kctcs.edu WKCTC is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.