A local teacher has been selected as a semifinalist for the 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award.
The Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc. announced the eleven semifinalists Monday, including Mandy Perez who teaches at Crittenden County Middle School.
Officials of the Kentucky Department of Education say the teachers are in the running to be named elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year, one of whom will be named the overall 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. The winners will be announced on September 20 at a ceremony in Frankfort.
In addition to Mendez, Kelly Gates who teaches at Pride Elementary School in Hopkins County is also among the eleven semi-finalists for the Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award.
According to the KDE, the 11 semifinalists are among 24 educators in Kentucky who were named 2023 Valvoline™ Teacher Achievement Award winners in July. They were chosen based on their scores from the first round of judging, which was conducted by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators. Applications included nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, involvement in their respective communities and letters of recommendation.
Officials indicate interviews with the 11 semifinalists, combined with their application scores, will result in the selection of the 2023 Elementary, Middle, and High School Teachers of the Year. The finalist who has the highest cumulative score will be named the 2023 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and will go on to represent the state in the 2023 National Teacher of the Year competition.
Along with the announcement of the winners on September 20, Valvoline will also present the 24 recipients of the Teacher Achievement Award with a cash award and certificate during the awards ceremony in Frankfort. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments.
Valvoline is a sponsor of the Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year program.
