Kentucky Names Teachers Of The Year

UPDATE: Oct. 16 1:15 pm: Here are the winners announced by the Kentucky Department of Education:  A 3rd-grade teacher at Murray Elementary School in the Murray Independent school district, Holly Bloodworth, is the 2014 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Melanie Trowel, a science teacher at Carter G. Woodson Academy in Fayette County, is the 2014 Middle School Teacher of the Year. Joanna Howerton Stevens, a mathematics teacher at Lincoln County High School in the Lincoln County school district, is the High School Teacher of the Year.Original Post:It's often said that teachers don't get enough recognition. 

While many great teachers exist, this morning the Kentucky Department of Education will be recognizing a few and naming the 2014 Teachers of the Year.Among those nominated for Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Jefferson County's own Angela Pleasant from James E. Farmer Elementary. We'd be remiss if we didn't also acknowledge Craig Grimm from North Oldham High in Oldham County.Gov. Steve Beshear will be joined by Education Commissioner Terry Holliday, Education Workforce Secretary Tom Zawacki and Ashland Inc. Chairman and CEO Jim O’Brien in naming the winners who will receive cash prizes ranging from $500 for those Teacher Achievement Award Winners, $3,000 for two of the three Teacher of the Year finalists, and $10,000 for the winner.Here are your nominees:Competing for Elementary Teacher of the Year are:

• Holly Bloodworth, Murray Elementary, Murray Independent
• Angela Pleasant, James E. Farmer Elementary, Jefferson County
• LenaKay E. Wilson, Mayfield Elementary, Madison County

Middle school semifinalists are:

• Willow Hambrick, Royal Spring Middle, Scott County
• Michelle W. Lustenberg, Phillip A. Sharp Middle, Pendleton County
• Melanie Trowel, Carter G. Woodson Academy, Fayette County

In the high school category, the semifinalists are:

• Scot A. Gill, Tates Creek High, Fayette County
• Craig Grimm, North Oldham High, Oldham County
• Joanna H. Stevens, Lincoln County High, Lincoln County
• Catherine Vannatter, Bryan Station High, Fayette County

2014 Ashland Teacher Achievement Award Winners            Bracken County – Robin Rath-Fultz, Taylor Elementary            Carter County – Beverly McDavid, West Carter Middle            Elizabethtown Independent – Derisa Hindle, Talton K. Stone Middle            Fayette County – Cynthia L. Brown, Lexington Traditional Magnet            Fayette County – Scot A. Gill, Tates Creek High            Fayette County – Melanie Trowel, Carter G. Woodson Academy            Fayette County – Catherine Vannatter, Bryan Station High            Floyd County – Cortney H. Flannery, Betsy Layne High            Floyd County – Amanda Lee, May Valley Elementary            Hardin County – Kathy S. Thompson, Central Hardin High            Jefferson County – Rita Cron, Atherton High            Jefferson County – Angela Pleasant, James E. Farmer Elementary            Jessamine County – Shawn Carlstedt, Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary            Lincoln County – Joanna H. Stevens, Lincoln County High            Madison County – LenaKay E. Wilson, Mayfield Elementary            Menifee County – Lana Swartz, Menifee County High            Muhlenberg County – Kelly D. Melton, Muhlenberg North Middle            Murray Independent – Holly Bloodworth, Murray Elementary            Pendleton County – Michelle W. Lustenberg, Phillip A. Sharp Middle            Oldham County – Craig Grimm, North Oldham High            Oldham County – Gina Weber, Crestwood Elementary            Scott County – Willow Hambrick, Royal Spring Middle            Simpson County – Sharon S. Smith, Franklin Elementary            Taylor County – Jessica McCubbin, Taylor County Middle