Photo Caption: Nominees for WKCTC's Regional Educators Awards will be celebrated and recognized at red-carpet event on March 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the college's Clemens Fine Arts Center.

Paducah, KY (03/08/2024) — More than 200 educators were nominated for West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC)'s Seventh Annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program (REASP), officials announced today.

The awards, conceived by WKCTC President Anton Reece, aim to honor the vital role of preschool/kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers, administrators, and staff in their communities and society.

Last fall, WKCTC issued a call for nominations for secondary educators, administrators, and support staff from across the region. The response was overwhelming, with

nominations submitted by students, parents, and colleagues. This year's program will recognize more than half of the nominees, who completed the application process and are being acknowledged for their exceptional contributions.

The applications underwent a thorough review by a panel of judges, who used a detailed rubric to determine two finalists and a winner in each of the five award categories listed below.

• Distinguished Administrator Award for individuals who hold the title of director, assistant director, assistant principal, principal, etc.
• Distinguished Faculty (Preschool/Kindergarten - 5th grade) Award
• Distinguished Faculty (6th Grade - 12th Grade) Award
• Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Support Staff Award for staff such as custodians, secretaries, cafeteria workers, etc.
• Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Administrative Staff Award for staff such as counselors, coaches, family resource coordinators, etc.

In conjunction with the awards program, a scholarship was established for WKCTC students interested in K-12 teaching, early childhood education, or educational majors to encourage and assist the region's future educators. Since the REASP's inception, sponsors and other contributors have given more than $45,000 to the Regional Educators Program Future Educators Scholarship.

WKCTC President Anton Reece emphasized the significance of each nominee feeling honored for their nomination. "We recognize the exceptional work that all educators, administrators, and support staff do for the students in our region, and they truly deserve this recognition."

Nominees are listed below.

Ballard County Schools: Holly Adams, Ballard County Middle School sixth- and seventh-grade reading teacher; Ashley Bodell, Ballard County Middle School school counselor; Jessica Buchanan, Ballard County preschool/ Headstart teacher; Diana Butler, Ballard County Schools head custodian; Jennifer Hopper, Ballard County Elementary School reading interventionist; Zachary Lisanby, Ballard Memorial High School and Ballard County Middle School ninth-grade Algebra 1 teacher, eighth-grade science teacher, eighth-grade PLTW App Creators teacher; Haley Overstreet, Ballard County Elementary School fourth-grade teacher; Rebecca Patterson, Ballard County Preschool preschool teacher; Barry Phillips, Ballard County Middle School/ Ballard Memorial High School health and physical education teacher; Sherry Queen, Ballard County Middle School math remediation teacher; Laura Richardson, Ballard County Elementary School third-grade teacher

Calloway County Schools: Jennifer Dunnaway, Calloway County Middle School teacher; Taylor Garland, Murray Middle School fifth-grade teacher; Dan Hicks, Murray/Calloway County Area Technical Center principal; Lindsay Koebbe, Murray Middle School fourth-grade science teacher; Heidi Mallory, Murray Middle School school counselor; Kimberly Rydecki, Calloway County High School school guidance counselor

Carlisle County Schools: Robin Garnett, Carlisle County High School library assistant; Dustin Roberts, Carlisle County Schools director of pupil personnel, director of special education, transportation director

Community Christian Academy: Cathy McAlister, Community Christian Academy teacher; Jill Rogers, Community Christian Academy fifth-grade teacher; Stefanie Tucker, Community Christian Academy kindergarten teacher; Monica Woodyard, Community Christian Academy MS/HS history teacher

Crittenden County Schools: Shayann Board, Crittenden County Elementary School second-grade teacher; Suzzanne Brown, Crittenden County Elementary School art teacher; Mollie Tabor (McGowan), Crittenden County Elementary School first-grade teacher

Fulton County Schools: Lindsey Bridges, Fulton County Schools food service director; Kim Dublin, Fulton County Schools assistant superintendent; Jessie Kirk, Fulton County Elementary School special education teacher

Fulton Independent Schools: Jean Little, Carr Elementary in Fulton Independent Schools principal; Cayce Batts, Fulton Independent Schools school social worker; Brittany Moxley, Fulton Independent Schools kindergarten teacher

Graves County Schools: Andrea Boyken, Sedalia Elementary School preschool teacher; Jamie Dunn, Mayfield Middle School assistant principal; Michele Franklin, Symsonia Elementary School principal; Lynn Henderson, Mayfield High School school counselor; Diane Janes, Graves County Central Elementary School teacher; Blake Jessup, Wingo Elementary School school counselor; Cody Lane, Symsonia Elementary School fifth-grade social studies teacher; Jackie Lear, Fancy Farm Elementary School physical education teacher; Marcie Leonard, Graves County High School school counselor; Abby Lyell, Graves County High School agriculture teacher; Lora Miller, Wingo Elementary School assistant principal; Nick Miller, Graves County High School media arts instructor; Guier Millikan, Graves County High School senior English teacher; Shanna Mills, Graves County High School social studies and leadership teacher; Christi Moore, Graves County High School teacher; Alex Richards, Graves County High School Spanish teacher; Kim Roberts, Graves County High School social studies department chair/teacher; Janet Throgmorton, Graves County High School principal; Robin Waldridge, Symsonia Elementary School teacher

Hickman County Schools: Lisa Rodgers, Hickman County Elementary School instructional assistant; Casey Stewart, Hickman County Elementary School SPED Paraprofessional

Livingston County Schools: Kanda Boyd, South Livingston Elementary School kitchen manager and child nutrition program assistant; DiAnna Corrigan, Livingston Central High School special education teacher; Sylvia Doyle, North Livingston Elementary School teacher; Brandon Godbey, Livingston Central High School English teacher; Jessie Gordon, Livingston Central High School teacher; Cindy Kennedy, South Livingston Elementary School teacher; Tabby Padon, North Livingston Elementary School kindergarten teacher; Stephanie Wood, Livingston Central High School principal

Lyon County Schools: Lindsey Ausenbaugh, Lyon County Elementary School fifth-grade teacher; Elizabeth Givens, Lyon County Elementary School teacher; Amanda Guzik, Lyon County High School family and consumer sciences teacher

Marshall County Schools: Lauren Anderson, South Marshall Middle School school counselor; Bailey Buchanan, South Marshall Middle School middle school English teacher; Kalli Colley, South Marshall Middle School teacher; Denise Dunevant, Benton Elementary School kindergarten teacher; Crystal Fox, Benton Elementary School teacher/librarian; Kendra Glenn, Calvert City Elementary School principal; Mackenzie Harper, Benton Elementary School teacher; Tara Holaday, Calvert City Elementary School elementary teacher; Kevin Jackson, South Marshall Middle School principal; Kristin Kirby, South Marshall Middle School seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher; Kelly Locker, South Marshall Middle School teacher; Justin McGill, South Marshall Middle School special education teacher; Madeline Parham, South Marshall Middle School math teacher; Lorrie Shadowen, Benton Elementary School principal; Drakie Shearer, South Marshall Middle School cafeteria manager; Becky Smith, Calvert City Elementary School first-grade teacher

McCracken County Schools: Amanda Atnip, McCracken County High School biology teacher; Kelli Bowland, Lone Oak Intermediate School school counselor; Johnna Brookshire, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary School school secretary; Tim Bundren, Lone Oak Intermediate School principal; Clay Burgess, Lone Oak Middle School orchestra director; Elizabeth Faughn, Concord Elementary School kindergarten teacher; Jose Garcia, Reidland Intermediate School Spanish educator; Amy Gloyd, Concord Elementary School kindergarten teacher; Sarah Heine Skidmore, Concord Elementary School special education teacher; Andrea Heisner, McCracken County High School health science teacher; Chris Jones, McCracken County High School history teacher; Melanie Lang, McCracken County High School teacher; Justin Massey, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary School custodian; Leo Preston McKinely, Paducah Tilghman High School mathematics teacher and department chair; Taylor Myers, Reidland Intermediate and Middle School health and physical education teacher; Candice Newbern, Lone Oak Intermediate School fifth-grade reading teacher; Michelle O'Neill, Hendron Lone Oak Elementary School teacher; Brittany Payne, McCracken County Public Schools bus driver, custodian, sub support sec.; Haley Rackley, Heath Elementary School second-grade teacher; Leslie Ravens, Lone Oak Intermediate School special needs teaching assistant; Brandi Rogers, Reidland Elementary School family resource coordinator; Kelly Rottman, McCracken County High School Spanish teacher; Jennifer Shidal, McCracken County High School English teacher; Kristin Sickling, Reidland Middle School teacher/librarian; Kelly Smith, Lone Oak Intermediate School art teacher; Jeffery Sturm, Concord Elementary School principal; Sarah Thompson, Reidland Elementary School second-grade teacher; Yvette Vinson, Reidland Middle/Intermediate School food service manager; Chris Watson, Lone Oak Middle School band director; Reba Wiggins, Concord Elementary School teacher; Angie Woods, McCracken County High School House 5 principal

Murray Head Start: Trish Pickett, Murray Head Start data services specialist

Murray Independent Schools: Krista Fielder, Murray Independent Schools teacher

Paducah Independent Schools: Jordie Estrada, Clark Elementary School special education teacher; Amanda Farley, Morgan Elementary School school counselor; Amy Hardin, Paducah Tilghman High School business and marketing teacher; Shonda Hollowell Burrus, Paducah Public Schools chief equity officer; Kim Jacobs, Paducah Public Schools technology technician; Lori Kauffman, Clark Elementary School finance secretary; Kate Lambert, Clark Elementary School teacher; Karlye Loy, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher; Laura McGee, Clark Elementary School RTI teacher K-Second; Gretchen Morgan, Clark Elementary School/Paducah Police Department school resource officer; Jacob Neal, Paducah Middle School custodian; Carla Phifer, Clark Elementary School teacher; Emilee Sigler, Clark Elementary School fourth-grade reading teacher; Tami Snyder, Morgan Elementary School principal; Katelinn Taber, Paducah Middle School special education teacher

The 2024 Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program winners will be announced and recognized during the red-carpet celebration on March 28 at 5:30 p.m. in WKCTC's Clemens Fine Arts Center.