(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Nominations are now open for the 2006 Kentucky Teacher Awards, sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education and Ashland Inc.
Nomination forms can be found by visiting the Kentucky Department of Education Web site here or by visiting the Ashland Inc. Web site at http://www.ashland.com and clicking on the education link in the communities section.
Any full-time public school teacher in the state with at least three years of experience is eligible. Teachers may be nominated by students or their parents, teaching peers, principals or superintendents or anyone from the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.
The deadline for nominations is May 31.
All nominated teachers are required to complete a written application, which must be submitted by June 30. Judging for the 2006 program will take place in early August by a blue ribbon panel of education professionals from around the state, and up to 24 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners will be announced later that month. Following site visits with nine semifinalists in September, and personal interviews with the top three candidates, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be announced in Frankfort. At that time, all 24 teachers will be honored with cash awards and other mementos. The Kentucky Teacher of the Year then will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.
The Kentucky Teacher Awards program combines the best elements of the Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs. This is the fifth year for this innovative collaboration between private industry and public education.
##