| Melanie Callahan, London Elementary School (Laurel County)
10-year veteran educator, Melanie Callahan teaches fourth-grade students at London Elementary. Callahan earned a bachelor's degree at the University of Kentucky; a master's degree at Bellarmine; Rank I Certification at the University of the Cumberlands; and Proficiency Certification in Theatre and Dance from Eastern Kentucky. Callahan is a Bill and Melinda Gates Fellow for National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification and is pursuing a doctoral degree at Capella. She is a supervising teacher for Midway and serves as secretary of the Curriculum & Instruction Committee for Cornerstone Christian School. Callahan also is a Certified Principal/member of the Association of Christian Schools International and a Teacher of Honor/member of Kappa Delta Pi.
|
| Lindsay Dotterweich, Gilmore Lane Elementary (Jefferson County) A five-year member of the teaching profession, Lindsay Dotterweich has taught third-grade students at Gilmore Lane Elementary throughout her career. Dotterweich earned her bachelor's and master's degrees at Bellarmine University and Gifted and Talented Endorsement at the University of Louisville. She served as a presenter at 2017, 2018 and 2019 Kentucky Association for Gifted Education conferences and has presented at a number of professional-development sessions for her school. Dotterweich led one such initiative for summer camp teachers, demonstrating how to implement a literacy unit on change she developed. Dotterweich is a member of the Jefferson County Teachers and the Kentucky Education associations.
|
| Kayla Marie Garrett, Mercer County Elementary School
A four-year member of the education profession, Kayla Marie Garrett has taught kindergarten students at Mercer County Elementary School throughout her teaching career. Garrett earned a bachelor's degree at Kentucky's St. Catharine College and Literacy Specialist Certification at the University of the Cumberlands. She currently is working toward National Board Certification. Garrett has participated in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, the Kentucky Reading Project and Kagan training initiatives. She also is the teacher liaison for the Mercer County Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization. Garrett lives by the words of Dr. James Comer: "No significant learning can occur without a significant relationship". As a result, she strives to build such relationships with students and parents.
|
| Alicia W. Lyles, Elkhorn Elementary (Franklin County)
An 18-year teaching veteran, Alicia W. Lyles has taught music at Elkhorn Elementary School for 10 years. She earned a bachelor's degree at Eastern Kentucky University and a master's degree at Georgetown College. Lyles also achieved certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. She is the creator and director of Elkhorn Elementary's Music and Drama Day Camp and pioneered the purchase and implementation of violins in the music classroom. Lyles also volunteers her time toward raising funds for the music program. As a member of Franklin County Music Educators PLC, Lyles has co-coordinated the Annual Spring Sing District Choral Concert for six years. She has served as a supervising teacher for student teachers as well.
|
| Katy Piercefield, Erpenbeck Elementary (Boone County)
Katy Piercefield has taught fourth-grade students at Erpenbeck Elementary throughout her 14-year teaching career. Piercefield earned a bachelor's degree at Northern Kentucky University and a master's degree at Georgetown College. As a member of the school's Site Based Decision Making Council, Piercefield helps set school policies and procedures. She also serves on the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Committee. Piercefield mentors and observes a future teacher in math, science and social studies. In 2018 and 2019, she participated in Explicit Learning sessions, focused on different strategies for use in the classroom to reach all students. Piercefield is a recipient of the Boone County Star Award.
|
| Belinda Michelle Landis, Cawood Elementary (Harlan County)
With 25 years of teaching experience overall, Belinda Michelle Landis has taught first-grade students at Cawood Elementary for 13 years. Landis earned a bachelor's degree at Eastern Kentucky University and a master's degree and Rank I certification at Union College. Landis mentors a new kindergarten teacher and is head of the school's first-grade teachers. She plays a lead role in the school's writing curriculum and in implementing the district's Non-Traditional Instructional Days for first-grade students. Landis also was instrumental in the acquisition of Chromebooks for lower primary students at Cawood. She is a member of the Kentucky Education Association.
|
| Meredith Larison, Longbranch Elementary School (Boone County)
A 22-year veteran educator, Meredith Larison has taught math, science, social studies and reading to fifth-grade students at Longbranch Elementary for seven years. Larison earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Northern Kentucky University. Over the course of her career, she has mentored 10 student teachers from various Kentucky universities, including Northern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, Thomas More College and the University of the Cumberlands. Larison serves as Math Committee chair for her school and has provided training on The 7 Habits for the Family, aimed at reinforcing study habits at home. She has trained staff members on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, as well.
|
| Melissa Lewis, Tygart Creek Elementary (Carter County)
With 24 years of teaching experience, Melissa Lewis has taught language arts to fifth-grade students at Tygart Creek Elementary for the past six years. Lewis earned bachelor's and two master's degrees at Morehead State University. Over the course of her career, she has presented at a range of professional-development and other education-related initiatives and served as a resource teacher for the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program. Lewis is the 2019 Carter County Elementary Teacher of the Year and was named Professional Learning Leader of Excellence by Carter County Schools in 2017, 2018 and 2019. She is a member of the Kentucky Education Association.
|