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Crittenden County Middle School Teacher Selected as 2024-2025 Challenger Learning Center Outstanding Educator

Paducah, KY (03/24/2025) — Paducah, Kentucky (March 24, 2025)- Crittenden County Middle School seventh grade science teacher Neal Bryant has been named the 2024-2025 Challenger Learning Center at Paducah's Outstanding Educator. He will be honored at the annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program held at West Kentucky Community and Technical College on March 27, 2025. Mr. Bryant will be recognized with the President's Award, a special category set aside for educators and community members who show special support to the college. Dr. Anton Reece, president of WKCTC and Mellisa Duncan, director of the Challenger Learning Center will present the award to Mr. Bryant.

Staff from the Challenger Learning Center chose Mr. Bryant because of his enthusiasm for the Center's programs, and citing the preparation, engagement and mission success exhibited by his students. Duncan said, "We are thrilled to present this award to Mr. Bryant. He has always seen the value our program provides to his students, giving them with a unique STEM learning experience. He uses our program to enhance his curriculum."

Nita Johnson, principal of Crittenden County Middle School, stated in her nomination form that Mr. Bryant is one of the most knowledgeable science teachers she has worked with or supervised. "His students ranked third in the state for public middle school KSA scores," said Johnson. "Not only does he know his content well, but he also understands that students want to know they are heard and understood."

Johnson added, "Mr. Bryant definitely makes learning fun and memorable."

The Challenger Learning Center at Paducah is one in a network of over thirty centers worldwide that provides unique STEM learning opportunities. The concept of the Challenger Centers came from the families of the astronauts lost in the Challenger accident. The center in Paducah, located on the campus of West Kentucky Community and Technical College, is a result of a partnership between the college and Paducah Junior College, Inc. For more information about the center visit clcpaducah.org.

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