Congratulations to Karen Gill, a science teacher at Henry Clay High School in Fayette County, who was named 2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year at a ceremony at the Capitol in October. Gill holds undergraduate degrees from Transylvania University and earned her Rank I at Georgetown College.

The Kentucky Teacher of the Year award is presented each year by Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education. Four out of the last five Kentucky Teachers of the Year hold at least one degree from an AIKCU institution.

Karen V. Gill, 2009 Kentucky Teacher of the Year

Karen Gill has taught for 18 years, 16 of those at Henry Clay High School, where she currently teaches physics and other science courses. Gill earned two bachelor’s degrees at Transylvania University, Lexington; a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky and Rank 1 certification at Georgetown College. Gill is a Physics Teacher Research Agent, National Board Certification candidate mentor, chairperson of the Henry Clay Pathways Committee and a presenter at Modeling Instruction Program workshops. She is the recipient of various honors, including an Engaging Kids to Learn grant, a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, an Ashland Teacher Achievement Award and two Fayette County Merit of Excellence awards. Her professional affiliations are the Modeling Instruction Group, North Central Kentucky Physics Alliance and the American Association of Physics Teachers.

In addition to Gill, an AIKCU alumna was also named 2009 Kentucky Middle School Teacher of the Year. Willow Hambrick, a language arts teacher at Royal Spring Middle School in Scott County, holds a master’s degree from Spalding University.

Willow Hambrick, 2009 Kentucky Middle School Teacher of the Year

Willow Hambrick has taught for 11 years, teaching language arts and writing courses at Royal Spring Middle School for the last two years. Hambrick earned a bachelor’s degree at Hanover College in Indiana; a master’s degree at Spalding University, Louisville; and more than 15 graduate hours at the University of Louisville. She has led writing seminars and cluster leader portfolio training for her school and mentored new language arts teachers. Hambrick sponsors the school’s literary magazine and writer’s club, and she serves as a presenter, guest speaker and lecturer for a range of education forums. She ranked among “Teachers Who Make a Difference” by Lexington’s First Baptist Church Bracktown and among “Teachers Who Go the Extra Mile” by her school. Hambrick’s professional affiliations include the American Academy of Poets and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Gill and Hambrick joined 22 other teachers, including seven other independent college alumni, from across the state who were honored with 2009 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards.  Gill received $10,000 and a commemorative crystal-glass bowl for being named Teacher of the Year. Hambrick received $3,00  and a customized, art-glass vase from Ashland Inc.  In addition, the Department of Education will provide a sabbatical or suitable alternative for Gill, who also will represent the state in the 2009 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Other AIKCU alumni honored with 2009 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards include:

• Millie Blandford; Washington County High School, Springfield; St. Catharine College (AA), Campbellsville University (BA, MA)
• Jan Vaughn Horn; Shearer Elementary, Winchester; Transylvania University (BA)
• Stacy Lynn Isaac; Martha Jane Potter Elementary, Whitesburg; Alice Lloyd College (BA)
• Dr. Lonnie Ray Laney; Elliott County High School, Sandy Hook; Transylvania University (BA)
• Barbra Ledford; Harlan Elementary, Harlan; Union College (Rank I)
• Jody G. Paver; Southwestern High School, Somerset; Berea College (BA)
• Sandra K. Stapleton; Allen Central Middle School, Eastern; Alice Lloyd College (BA)

See bios on all of the honorees at http://www.ashland.com/commitments/toy_bios.asp

This is the eighth year Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education have sponsored the Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards. Applications for the program were distributed across the state, and the first tier of the selection process was completed in August, with 24 teachers selected as 2009 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners. Nine top scorers – three each from the elementary, middle and high school levels – were selected, and teams of educators visited their classrooms to view them at work and to conduct personal interviews. From those nine, three were selected as 2009 Kentucky Teachers of the Year. The overall Kentucky Teacher of the Year then was selected, based on a compilation of scores from all phases of the judging.

Ashland Inc. has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards since 1988. Nearly $577,000 has been awarded to nearly 375 teachers in grades K to 12.