College of Education Alumni Receive Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 8, 2013) — Four University of Kentucky College of Education alumni have been selected by the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc. as recipients of the 2014 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards (TAA). These teachers qualify to compete for the 2014 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, which will be announced this month.

The UK alums, listed by school district, are:

• Fayette County – Scot A. Gill, Tates Creek High
• Fayette County – Catherine Vannatter, Bryan Station High
• Jessamine County – Shawn Carlstedt, Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary
• Lincoln County – Joanna H. Stevens, Lincoln County High

All 24 nominated teachers will be honored at a ceremony in Frankfort Oct. 16 in the State Capitol. Governor Steve Beshear, Education and Workforce Secretary Thomas Zawacki, Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and Ashland’s Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien will be present to honor the teachers and to recognize the Kentucky Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year. From this group of three finalists, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be named and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Ashland will present the 24 TAA recipients with cash awards and certificates at the awards ceremony. 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 after the ceremony.

The Kentucky Teacher Awards program combines the best elements of the Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs. This marks the 13th year the Department of Education and Ashland have partnered to honored Kentucky educators.

Judging was conducted in August by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators, many of whom have more than 25 years of teaching experience. Applications included information on the nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences and involvement in their respective communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents, administrators and others.

Ashland has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards since 1988. Approximately $685,000 has been awarded to 450 teachers of grades K to 12.