Kentucky School Advocate
December 2024
Nominations are being accepted for the 2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year awards
Any full-time public school teacher in the state with at least three years of experience is eligible. Nominations may be submitted online at
https://bit.ly/TOY26.
Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, peers, principals, superintendents or anyone from the community.
“The Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award allows us to highlight those who go above and beyond to provide our children the tools they need to follow their aspirations,” said Education Commissioner Robbie Fletcher. “We have 43,000 public school educators who give their hard work and dedication each day and I encourage you to nominate deserving teachers for this award.”
All nominated teachers will be invited to submit a formal application by Feb. 15.
A panel of education professionals from around the state will judge all applications. Advancing candidates will receive additional review and evaluations.
Teacher Achievement Award winners and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be announced later in 2025 and honored with cash prizes and other awards. The 2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year will represent the state in the 2026 National Teacher of the Year competition.
KCTCS seeks to honor counselors
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) is looking for 16 unsung heroes from among the teachers and counselors who go the extra mile to assist students with their college-going plans.
Nominations are open for the KCTCS Pathfinder High School Teacher/Counselor Recognition Award and run through Dec. 31.
“We want to give credit where credit is due,” said KCTCS President Ryan Quarles. “In addition to all their daily responsibilities, this award recognizes those who help students turn their educational and career dreams into reality.”
One teacher or counselor will be selected in each of the system’s 16 college service areas. All high school teachers and counselors are eligible for the award. Any KCTCS student, faculty or staff member and any high school staff member can submit nominations.
Winners will be selected based on the following criteria:
• Encouraged student(s) to attend a KCTCS college;
• Assisted student(s) in identifying a career and postsecondary path;
• Provided mentorship; and/or
• Maintained contact with student(s).
Winners will be announced early next year during local high school events. Recipients will receive a specially designed award along with a prize package. For more information, go to kctcs.edu/landing/pathfinder-award.aspx
KDE to create statewide JROTC
The Kentucky Department of Education has partnered with the U.S. Army Cadet Command to start a pilot program for a statewide Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) office.
The JROTC program prepares high school students for leadership roles while making them aware of their rights, responsibilities and privileges as American citizens. It can also be a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school, and it provides instruction and rewarding opportunities that will benefit the student, community and nation.
As part of the new statewide office, Colonel (Ret.) Tim McDonald has been hired as the state director of Army instruction.
McDonald and his office will provide administrative and logistics management for U.S. Army JROTC programs through organized supervision for military matters, approved educational instruction and integrated systemic processes. McDonald’s primary role also includes oversight of the 97 JROTC host programs already operating in Kentucky schools and serving as Kentucky’s representative and advocate in JROTC matters.