Educator Recognitions - Kentucky Department of Education

Educator Recognitions

Published: 2/11/2026 9:10 AM

The Kentucky Department of Education oversees several annual awards and recognition programs that honor exceptional teachers, students and schools in the state.

Educator recognitions include:

Kentucky Education Support Staff Professional (KESSP) Awards and National RISE Nominations - for classified staff working in Kentucky public schools.
Kentucky Exemplary Educators Program (KEEP) - for certified teachers, teacher specialists and principals in Kentucky public schools that are making a difference in the classroom, school, and community.
Kentucky Teacher of the Year (KTOY) Program - for distinguished certified teachers in Kentucky public schools with at least five years of teaching experience. The winner represents Kentucky in the Council of Chief State School Officers National Teacher of the Year program.
Milken Educator Awards Program - a national recognition program for early-to-mid career education professionals for their already impressive achievements and, more significantly, for the promise of what they will accomplish in the future.

Awards and Recognition Programs

Office of the Commissioner

Division of Communications

300 Sower Boulevard

(502) 564-2000

Awards@education.ky.gov

2022 Milken Award Winner Jessica Goodman in a classroom

Jessica Goodman, a kindergarten through 5th grade Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) teacher at Farmer Elementary School (Jefferson County), was surprised with the $25,000 Milken Educator Award on April 22, 2022. Photo by Milken Family Foundation.