The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) received 528 teacher nominees this year who were judged by a panel of veteran Kentucky Teacher of the Year award recipients. Applications highlighted the nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experience and letters of recommendation from peers, students, families and administrators.
On Aug. 13, KDE announced the nine outstanding Kentucky educators who will receive Kentucky Achievement Awards. Each of these nine educators have been invited to Kentucky’s capitol on Sept. 10, when they will announce the winners of the elementary, middle and high divisions. From those finalists, they will then name the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. This educator will go on to compete in the National Teacher of the Year.
Two Asbury University alumni, Jennifer Montgomery ’01 and Sarah Wallace APS ‘10 and graduate alum ’15, are among these nine educators. This is not the first time an Asbury alumni has been considered for Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Asbury University alumnus Donnie Piercey ’04 was the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
When asked about the impact of Asbury University on future educators, 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Piercey said, “It’s always strange to think about the fact that I wasn’t even an education major during my time at Asbury. I don’t believe this is ironic, but that it underscores the impact of the education Asbury provides to all its students. The values and skills I learned there—especially the strong emphasis on service and community—have been instrumental in shaping not just my career, but my entire approach to teaching (even without a formal background in education).”
The 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year will serve as a representative for teachers across the commonwealth as well as an advocate for education at a broader level. As Piercey has remarked, Teacher of the Year duties include speaking engagements, participating in panels and collaborating with other educators to share best practices. Some Kentucky Teacher of the Year award recipients have also had the opportunity to meet with lawmakers on a state and local level as well as travel to the White House and lead trainings for educators across the United States. “The role is as much about being a voice for teachers as it is about continuing to inspire students in the classroom. It’s an honor that allows me to highlight the amazing work happening in Kentucky schools and to advocate for the resources and support our educators and students need,” explained Piercey. “By inviting student teachers into our classrooms, sharing our experiences and being open about the challenges and rewards of the profession, we can inspire the next generation to step into this role with confidence and enthusiasm.”
The nine Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award winners and Kentucky Teacher of the Year nominees are as follows:
Elementary School
Angela Nicole Hardin, Peace Academy (Jefferson County)
Scott Johnson, Red Cross Elementary (Barren County)
Sarah Wallace, Robert B. Turner Elementary (Anderson County)
Middle School
Jennifer Montgomery, Eminence Independent Middle School (Eminence Independent)
Jessica LF Talley, Mt. Washington Middle School (Bullitt County)
Alicia Christine Thomas, Lexington Traditional Magnet School (Fayette County)
High School
Jamie Brown, Marion County High School (Marion County)
Katy Cecil, LaRue County High School (LaRue County)
Hayley Dan, Randall K. Cooper High School (Boone County)
All nine recipients of the outstanding Kentucky educators will receive cash prizes. Additionally, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000 and will be offered a six-month sabbatical with KDE where they will serve as an ambassador of the teaching profession in the state of Kentucky. The Kentucky Teacher of the Year will help develop Kentucky’s next generation of leaders and educators.
Photo courtesy of Unsplash.
