3 NKY Educators are Semifinalists for State Teacher of the Year

Nine teachers from across Kentucky are semifinalists for the 2018 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, the Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline announced Friday.

Three of the teachers are from Northern Kentucky.

Winners of the Elementary, Middle and High School Teacher of the Year Awards, in addition to the overall 2018 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, will be announced at a ceremony on May 16, in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building in Frankfort.

Elementary Teacher Semifinalists

Natasha Craft, Pulaski Elementary, Pulaski County

Belinda Raye Furman, Sherman Elementary, Grant County

Carla Oetinger, Ryland Heights Elementary, Kenton County

Middle School Teacher Semifinalists

Jennifer Meo-Sexton, Bondurant Middle, Franklin County

Apryl L. Moore, The Academy at Shawnee, Jefferson County

Olga Payne, Daviess County Middle, Daviess County

High School Teacher Semifinalists

Kellie Clark, Randall K. Cooper High, Boone County

Doug Logan, Randall K. Cooper High, Boone County

Ryan New, Boyle County High, Boyle County

The nine semifinalists are among 24 educators who were named 2018 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award winners. They were chosen based on their scores from the first round of judging, which was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators. Applications included information on nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities and letters of recommendation.

Classroom visits and personal interviews with each of the nine semifinalists will result in the selection of the 2018 Elementary School, Middle School and High School Teachers of the Year. A culmination of these scores results in the selection of the 2018 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. This individual then will represent Kentucky in the 2018 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Valvoline will present the 24 Teacher Achievement Award recipients with cash awards and certificates at the awards ceremony in Frankfort. In addition to cash awards, the three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments, and all 24 educators will be honored at a special luncheon that day.

-Staff report