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Nominees for WKCTC's Regional Educators Awards Announced

Thursday March 27 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Clemens Fine Arts Center

by Justin Jones

Date and time was originally not added.

Paducah, KY (03/07/2025) — More than 200 educators were nominated for West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC)'s Eighth Annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program (REASP), college officials announced today.

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

Last fall, WKCTC issued a call for nominations for primary and 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 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, using 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 - 4th Grade) Award
  • Distinguished Faculty (5th Grade - 8th Grade) Award
  • Distinguished Faculty (9th 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 $50,000 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:

Whitney Clemons, Ballard Memorial High School custodian

Valerie Helm, Ballard County Board Office student information administrator

Caldwell County Schools:

Lisa Hudson, Caldwell County Middle School special education teacher

Calloway County Schools:

Nick Calcamuggio, Calloway County High School teacher

Melinda Hendley, North Calloway County Elementary School principal

Chelsea Neale, Calloway County High School counselor

Scott Pile, Calloway County Middle School seventh-grade teacher

Lane Springer, Calloway County High School teacher

Todd Terry, East Calloway County Elementary School music teacher K-5

Carlisle County Schools:

Sarah Workman, Carlisle County High School twelfth-grade teacher

Community Christian Academy:

Tammy Chapman, Community Christian Academy High School teacher

Christy Green, Community Christian Academy third-grade teacher

Monica Woodyard, Community Christian Academy High School teacher

Crittenden County Schools:

Shayann Board, Crittenden County Elementary School second-grade teacher

Tammy Travis, Crittenden County Board Office administrative assistant

Crystal Wesmoland, Crittenden County Board Office Family Resource Center coordinator

Fulton County Schools:

Brey Jones, Fulton County Elementary School counselor

Liz Page, Fulton County Elementary School third-grade teacher

Fulton Independent Schools:

Betty Bartimus, Fulton Independent Board Office administrative assistant

Danielle Cruse, Carr Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Brittany Moxley, Carr Elementary School kindergarten teacher

Mark Paitsel, Fulton High School teacher

Melissa Trice-Martin, Fulton Middle School teacher

Graves County Schools:

Marina Bass, Wingo Elementary School special education teacher

Andrea Boyken, Sedalia Elementary School teaching assistant

Jalin Burnette, Central Elementary School special education teacher

Keri Cornwell, Central Elementary School principal

Sarah Duren,Fancy Farm Elementary School counselor

Mallery Fowler, Fancy Farm Elementary School third-grade teacher

Courtney Hayden, Graves County Board Office early education consultant

Erica Hays, Graves County High School teacher

Diane Janes, Central Elementary School K-6 teacher

Jessica Lathrop, Central Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Peggy Marler, Fancy Farm Elementary School teacher

Kelly Mathis, Central Elementary School special education teacher

Shanna Mills, Graves County High School teacher

Hannah Newsome, Symsonia Elementary School second-grade teacher

Kim Roberts, Graves County High School teacher

Sabrina Sams, Fancy Farm Elementary School teaching assistant

Allison Sevic, Central Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Nyssa Shemwell, Wingo Elementary School second-grade teacher

Taylor Sheridan, Graves County High School ninth-grade teacher

Whitney Ward, Sedalia Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Carson Wheeler, Central Elementary School teaching assistant

Nicki Thompson, Wingo Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Hickman County Schools:

Nicole Terry, Hickman County Elementary School sixth-grade teacher

Livingston County Schools:

Brandy Barrett, South Livingston Elementary School third-grade teacher

Jason Culver, Livingston Central High School teacher

Ashley Eison, South Livingston Elementary School teaching assistant

Dawn Garvin, North Livingston Elementary School preschool teacher

Melissa Franklin, North Livingston Elementary School administrative assistant

Joy Harris, Livingston County Middle School counselor

Sunni Ogg, South Livingston Elementary School third-grade teacher

Lyon County Schools:

Abby Smith, Lyon County Elementary School teaching assistant

Marshall County Schools:

Laken Adair, South Marshall Middle School special education teacher

Jennifer Bradley, South Marshall Middle School sixth-grade teacher

Glenda Byers, Marshall County Middle Youth Service Center Family Resource Center coordinator

Tina Clayton, Marshall County High School teacher

Payton Croft, Mayfield High School teacher

Carissa Culp, Sharpe Elementary School secretary

Jeff Daniel, Calvert City Elementary School resource officer

Amie Eplee, Calvert City Elementary School Head Start teacher

Melanie Grimes, South Marshall Elementary School Family Resource Center coordinator

Chasity Harrod, Benton Elementary School secretary

Crystal Jones, Benton Elementary School preschool teacher

Brittany King, Jonathan Elementary School special education teacher

Kim Miller, Benton Elementary School teaching assistant

Patricia Murphy, South Marshall Middle School seventh-grade teacher

Shelby Oakley, Sharpe Elementary School special education teacher

Tiffany Palmer, South Marshall Elementary School speech language pathologist

Jessica Randall, Marshall County High School tenth-grade teacher

Cole Riley, Benton Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Joel Roberts, South Marshall Middle School teacher

Michelle Schmidt, South Marshall Elementary School counselor

Lorrie Shadowen, Marshall County Board Office principal

Amanda Sparks, Calvert City Elementary School second-grade teacher

Crystal Teckenbrock, South Marshall Elementary School special education teacher

Kayla Thomas, Jonathan Elementary School kindergarten teacher

Crystal Thorning, Calvert-Sharpe Family Resource Center coordinator

Jessica Torsak, South Marshall Elementary School special education teacher

Amy Waddell, Benton Elementary School counselor

Christine Williams, South Marshall Middle School teacher

Emily Yates, Marshall County Board Office first-grade teacher

Mayfield Independent Schools:

Candice Cochrum, Mayfield Middle School fifth-grade teacher

Payton Croft, Mayfield High School teacher

Heather Dublin, Mayfield Elementary School principal

Tangela Freeman, Mayfield Middle School teacher

Lorena Godinez, Mayfield High School teacher

Kayla Jones, Mayfield High School teacher

Amanda Lampkin, Mayfield High School teacher

Tiffany Mason, Mayfield Elementary School assistant principal

Cara Peppers, Mayfield Middle School special education teacher

Jamie Trice, Mayfield Middle School assistant principal

Lisa Wingfield, Mayfield High School teacher/librarian

Nicole Youngblood, Mayfield High School teacher

McCracken County Schools:

Taylor Anderson, Heath Elementary School preschool teacher

Megan Bolin, Concord Elementary School counselor

Lori Boyles, Reidland Elementary School first-grade teacher

Clay Burgess, Lone Oak Middle School orchestra teacher

Kayla Cannon, McCracken County Preschool teacher

Kelly Chiles, Reidland Middle School seventh-grade teacher

Eric Chumbler, Heath Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Alecia Clark, Concord Elementary School third-grade teacher

Leslee Cope, Heath Elementary and Middle Schools Family Resource Center coordinator

Kaylee Dickens, Concord Elementary School first-grade teacher

Jill Dobson, Heath Elementary School third-grade teacher

Amanda Dudley, Lone Oak Elementary School kindergarten teacher

April Emmons, Lone Oak Intermediate School teaching assistant

Madison Farthing, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School preschool teacher

Katherine Flournoy, Concord Elementary School special education teacher

Misty Gilbert, Reidland Middle School seventh-grade teacher;

Emily Gray, Concord Elementary School kindergarten teacher

Emily Griffith, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School music teacher

Donald W. Heath III, McCracken County High School assistant principal

Andrea Heisner, McCracken County High School teacher

Jessica Holder, Reidland Middle School sixth-grade teacher

Wheeler Hughes, McCracken County High School teacher

Monica P. Jameson, Lone Oak Middle School teacher

Brian Jarvis, McCracken County High School teacher

Chris Jones, McCracken County High School tenth-grade teacher

Gena Karnes, Concord Elementary School teacher

Cecilia Kinsey, Lone Oak Intermediate School teaching assistant

Misty Koinis, Reidland Middle School eighth-grade teacher

Melanie Lang, McCracken County High School tenth-grade teacher

Abigail Lindsey, McCracken County Preschool instructional assistant

Diana McGill, Lone Oak Intermediate School student support staff

Joy Beth McGough, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School first-grade teacher

Anna McManus, Heath Middle School custodial/ bus driver/cafeteria

Nicole Musgrave, Reidland Middle School teacher

Katie Pace, Lone Oak Intermediate School fourth-grade teacher

Courtney Quimby, Reidland Middle School teacher

Brian Ramsey, McCracken County High School ISD instructor

Patty Reynolds, Hendron-Lone Oak Elementary School first-grade teacher

Emily Ricketts, Concord Elementary School teaching assistant

Molly Smith, Concord Elementary School kindergarten teacher

Jennifer Solomon, Heath Elementary School interventionist

Erin Soltys, Heath Elementary School fifth-grade teacher;

Margaret Southern, McCracken County Board Office RTI assistant

Dr. Lisa Stephenson, McCracken County High School college and career coach

Brittany Sterchi-Ford, McCracken County High School teacher

Spencer Sullivan, Reidland Middle School teacher

Shaun Thomas, Reidland Intermediate School principal

Heather Thornton, Heath Elementary School fifth-grade teacher;

Wendy Turnage, Lone Oak Intermediate School fourth-grade teacher

Amanda Turner, McCracken County High School assistant principal

Jessie Vasseur, McCracken County Board Office McKinney Vento Homeless liaison

Karen Walker, Concord Elementary School general music K-5

Tomi Warren, McCracken County High School credit recovery instructor

Chris Watson, Lone Oak Middle School band director, 6-8th grade

Wendy Watts, McCracken County High School counselor

Katie Williams, Reidland Intermediate School fifth-grade teacher

Michelle Wooten, McCracken County High School teacher

Murray Independent Schools:

Erica Stahr, Murray Middle School special education teacher

Summer Woolard, Murray Middle School sixth-grade teacher

Other:

Kaylee Davis, First Christian Church Preschool teacher

Darlyn Sesock, First Christian Church Preschool teacher

Halle Stevenson, First Christian Preschool teacher

Paducah Public Schools:

Jennifer Adams, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Katherine Arnold-Bradford, Paducah Middle School social emotional learning coach

Beth Baker, Morgan Elementary School special education teacher

Jessica Beckner, Clark Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Savannah Beyer, Morgan Elementary School third-grade teacher

Anne Bidwell, Paducah Board Office director of Human Resources and districtwide communications

Genia Buchanan, McNabb Elementary School library media specialist

Lesheika Chamberlain, Paducah Board Office administrative assistant

Christal Crane, Clark Elementary School academic dean

Natalie DeBernardi, Clark Elementary School first-grade teacher

Kimberly DeShon, McNabb Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Drake Dunnaway, Clark Elementary School assistant principal

Stephani Gray, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

James Gregory, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Amy Hardin, Paducah Tilghman High School first-grade teacher

Shelby Hofer, Paducah Middle School sixth-grade teacher

Dylan Howard, Paducah Middle School sixth-grade teacher

Danette Humphrey, Paducah Middle School teacher

Crystal Hunt, Paducah Head Start Preschool family advocate

Ross Kelley, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Kate Lambert, Paducah Middle School eighth-grade teacher

Elizabeth LeNeave, Clark Elementary School second-grade teacher

Kristy Lewis, Paducah Head Start Preschool director

Laken Lindsey, Clark Elementary School kindergarten teacher

Megan Mathis, Paducah Middle School seventh-grade teacher

Kristina McDowell, Paducah Innovation Hub special education outreach coordinator

Leo McKinely, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Julie Mohs, Clark Elementary School fifth-grade teacher

Keshia Moore, Paducah Tilghman High School ninth-grade teacher

Casaundra Newsome, Paducah Tilghman High School counselor

Adrienne O'Neill, Clark Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Albert Outcalt, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Trinity Patterson, Paducah Middle School teaching assistant

Carla Phifer, Clark Elementary School first-grade teacher

Lauren Prescott, Paducah Middle School mental health associate/counselor

Brittany Riley, Morgan Elementary School third-grade teacher

John Romang, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Allison Rowe, McNabb Elementary School third-grade teacher

Todd Rushing, Paducah Middle School teacher

Abigail Salings, Paducah Middle School seventh-grade teacher

Emilee Sigler, Clark Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Molly Slone, Clark Elementary School third-grade teacher

Laura Snyder, Paducah Tilghman High School ninth-grade teacher

Mike Spissinger, Paducah Tilghman High School teacher

Jessica Thomas, Paducah Head Start Preschool teacher

Terrie White, McNabb Elementary School third-grade teacher

Matt Wyman, Clark Elementary School fourth-grade teacher

Shawn Yarbrough, Morgan Elementary School academic dean

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