2008 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners with (seated left to right):: Education Secretary Laura Owens, Governor Ernie Fletcher, Tammy Spratt, Chandra Emerson, Ed Farrar, Chairman Jim O’Brien and Education Deputy Commissioner Elaine Farris

2008 Kentucky Teacher of the Year

Chandra Holloway Emerson,
Oldham County Middle School,
Buckner, Ky.

A 16-year teaching veteran, Chandra Emerson has taught language arts to seventh-grade students at Oldham County Middle School for seven years. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky, a master’s degree from Georgetown College and has achieved National Board Certification. Emerson presented at the 2007 Kentucky High Performing District Alliance and has served as Oldham’s seventh-grade team leader for five years. She also was selected as lead teacher for Oldham’s Language Arts Department for the 2007-2008 school year. Emerson is a recipient of the WHAS ExCEL and Kentucky Council of Teachers of English New Teacher awards and a winner of the Oldham County $1,000 Pyramid Grant. Her professional affiliations have included the National and Kentucky councils of Teachers of English, Kentucky Middle School and Kentucky Education associations, and the Goals 2000 literacy project.

2008 Elementary School Teacher of the Year

Tammy Spratt,
Shepherdsville Elementary,
Shepherdsville, Ky.

Tammy Spratt has been a teacher for 17 years, with two in her current position, teaching social studies and language arts to fifth-grade students at Shepherdsville Elementary. Spratt earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, and Elementary Endorsement from the Volunteer State Community College, Gallatin, Tenn. Spratt has supervised, developed, coordinated, facilitated, implemented and participated in literally dozens of education-enhancement initiatives, such as the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative’s History Alive Program. She also has earned numerous honors, including 2007 KentuckyPreserve America Elementary History Teacher of the Year. Her professional affiliations include the National Council for History Education, the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies, and the Kappa Delta Pi National Education Honorary.

2008 High School Teacher of the Year

Raymond Edward Farrar,
South Oldham High School,
Crestwood, Ky.

Edward “Ed” Farrar has taught for 36 years, with two in his current position as biology teacher at South Oldham High School. Farrar earned bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Louisville and has presented at science conventions and in-service programs throughout his career. Farrar received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics Teaching and has also received the Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement, Ashland Oil Golden Apple, Rotary Club of Louisville Teacher Recognition, Phi Delta Kappa Outstanding Teacher of the Year and Jefferson County Public School’s Golden Apple awards. His past and present professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National Science Teachers associations, Jeff Region Bio Alliance, National Association of Biology Teachers and the Association of Presidential Award-Winning Science Teachers. Farrar is co-founder of the Better Biology Teaching Association.

2008 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Jason Chapman,
Russell High School,
Russell, Ky.

Jason Chapman brings the gift of music to students and has taught for seven years. He has taught six years in his current position, teaching orchestra to students in grades 3 to 12 for Russell Independent Schools. Chapman earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky and a master’s degree at VanderCook College of Music, Chicago. He is a founding committee member of the Kentucky Music Educators Association’s Program of Excellence for Orchestras and a member of the Kentucky and American String Teachers associations. Chapman annually attends the Kentucky and National Music Educators associations’ conferences. He has served as speaker for the Kentucky School Boards Association state conference and as a consultant for other school districts and college training programs. Chapman has earned a range of honors, the most recent being a Kentucky Governor’s Award for the Arts, presented by the Kentucky Arts Council and Governor Ernie Fletcher.

Donna Kay Dietz,
Graves County High School,
Mayfield, Ky.

Donna Dietz has three-and-one-half years’ teaching experience, all at Graves County High School, where she teaches special education courses for grades 9 through 12. Dietz earned bachelor’s degrees at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, and at Murray State University. She obtained a master’s degree and Rank 1 certification at Murray State as well. Dietz serves as assistant director of a Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug-free Schools grant and helped obtain a similar training grant from the National Incident Management System. She has served as a resource teacher for a Murray State practicum student and is a member of the Kentucky Center for School Safety Assessment and the Western Kentucky Regional Transitional Cooperative teams. Her professional affiliations include the Kentucky Association of School Administrators and the Kentucky and Graves County Education associations.

2008 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Crystal L. Dixon,
Morton Middle School,
Lexington, Ky.

Crystal Dixon began her career as an educator teaching math courses at Morton Middle School in 2004. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky and began working on a master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University in the fall of 2007. Dixon is a member of the District Math Committee, and she participated in the Tiered Mentoring Project grant application process and a week-long Connected Math Project Seminar at Michigan State University. She also served as Kentucky United Nations Assembly (KUNA) adviser and conducted “Math Blast” sessions for two years. Dixon participates in her school’s Extended School Services (ESS) Program, and her professional affiliations include the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the Kentucky and National Middle School associations and the Morton Middle School PSTA.

2008 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Karen V. Gill,
Henry Clay High School,
Lexington, Ky.

Karen Gill is a 17-year veteran of the teaching profession, with 15 years at Henry Clay High School, where she teaches science courses. Gill earned her bachelor’s degree at Transylvania University, Lexington, and a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. She also has achieved Rank 1 certification. Over the course of her career, Gill has served as participant and presenter for a wide range of training, mentoring and leadership-development initiatives. Her honors include a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, two Fayette County Merit of Excellence awards and four Fayette County certificates of appreciation. Her professional affiliations include the Kentucky Teacher Forum, College Board, Modeling Instruction Group, Physics Teacher Resource Agent, North Central Kentucky Physics Alliance, American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Institute of Physics.

2008 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Sharon Elaine Graves,
Clark-Moores Middle School,
Richmond, Ky.

For 17 out of 18 years Sharon Graves has taught social studies to eighth-grade students at Clark-Moores Middle School. Graves earned her bachelor’s degree, Rank 1 and Rank II certifications at Eastern Kentucky University and continued her development through training and mentoring activities. She has been featured in the National Honor Roll of Outstanding American Teachers and Battle of Richmond Association’s Corps of Valor Hall of Honor directories. Graves also is a recipient of Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching, Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History (chapter and state) and Outback Teacher of the Month. Her professional affiliations include the National Council for the Social Studies, Civil War Preservation Trust, Kentucky Association of Professional Educators, Association of American Educators, Battle of Richmond Association, Madison County International Committee and Madison County Historical Society.

Cindy J. Ham,
Somerset High School,
Somerset, Ky.

Rex Hanson,
LaRue County High School,
Hodgenville, Ky.

Rex Hanson has devoted his eight-year career to teaching mathematics at LaRue County High School. He also teaches courses for Elizabethtown Community & Technical College and Campbellsville University. Hanson earned bachelor and master’s degrees and Rank 1 certification at Western Kentucky University. He chairs the Mathematics Department and Curriculum Committee, serves as co-adviser to the National Honor Society, sponsors the senior class and coordinates Testgear and ACT testing for LaRue. Hanson participates in leadership activities aimed at training future teachers. He is a recipient of LaRue County’s ExCel Teacher of the Year Award and was featured in the 10 th and 11 th editions of Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Hanson’s professional affiliations include the Kentucky Educator’s Association, the Kentucky Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the National Council of Teachers of Science.

Peggy A. Helm,
Crosby Middle School,
Louisville, Ky.

Mary Letitia Hughes,
Barren County High School,
Glasgow, Ky.

Mary Hughes has 13 years’ teaching experience, with nine in her current position, teaching freshman English at Barren County High School. Hughes earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, where she is currently enrolled in the Educational Administration Program. Hughes is a recipient of Barren County Board of Education High School Teacher of the Year, Campbellsville College Excellence in Teaching, Video Placement Worldwide Teacher Tips, Glasgow-Barren County Business and Professional Women’s Club “Woman of Achievement” and Outstanding Technology Integration awards. Her professional affiliations include the Barren County, Third District, Kentucky and National Education associations, Glasgow-Barren County Chamber of Commerce, Western Kentucky University Writing Project and the Business and Professional Women’s Club.

Solomon Kilburn,
Prestonsburg High School,
Prestonsburg, Ky.

With 20 years’ teaching experience, Solomon Kilburn has taught science courses at Prestonsburg High School for five years. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky., and secondary science certification at Eastern Kentucky University. Kilburn has continued his development throughout his career through involvement in various projects and programs, such as Teachers for the Forest and as a technology coordinator and trainer for Floyd County schools. He also has served as Cedar Coal Fair coordinator and County Soil Conservation educator and is a Who’s Who in American Education nominee. His professional affiliations include the Kentucky Education Association, Kentucky and National Science Teachers associations, Kentucky Environmental Education Association and the East Kentucky Science Center Science Fair, for which Kilburn serves as chairman.

Barbra T. Ledford,
Harlan Elementary School,
Harlan, Ky.

Barbara Ledford, an 18-year teaching veteran, teaches fourth-grade students at Harlan Elementary. She earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tenn., and Rank 1 certification at Union College. Ledford also has achieved National Board Certification and has continued her development throughout her career as a participant, presenter, conductor and facilitator for a wide range of workshops, conferences and other training initiatives. Ledford is a recipient of the 2007 Ashland Teacher Achievement Award. She has been featured in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers three times and in the International Who’s Who in Poetry. She also was named an Outstanding American Teacher as well as an All USA Teacher by USA Today. Her professional affiliations include the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the National Council of History Educators, and the Kentucky Association of Board Certified Teachers.

Deidra H. Patton,
Cannonsburg Elementary School,
Ashland, Ky.

Deidre Patton is a 24-year educator, with nine in her current position, teaching gifted education courses at Cannonsburg Elementary. Patton earned her bachelor’s degree at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky., and a master’s degree, Rank 1 and Gifted Endorsement certifications at Morehead State University. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Patton was nominated for inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and the National Honor Roll of Teachers and is a recipient of the Kentucky Court of Justice “We the People” Civic Education Award, the Alice Lloyd College Elementary Education Award and several education grants. Her professional affiliations include the Boyd County and Kentucky Education associations, the Kentucky Association of Gifted Education, Kentucky Educational Development Corporation and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

2008 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Beth Randolph,
School for the Creative and Performing Arts,
Lexington, Ky.

Beth Randolph has taught for 20 years, with 19 as a math, social studies and language arts teacher at the School for the Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) at Bluegrass, Lexington. Randolph earned two bachelor’s degrees and a master’s degree at the University of Kentucky. She served as a Kentucky Internship Resource Teacher (KTIP), assisted with staff development and training of new teachers and co-authored Money in the Middle, published by the National Council of Economic Education. Randolph has received numerous honors, including induction into the Kentucky High School Speech League Hall of Fame. Her professional affiliations include the Fayette County, Kentucky and National Education associations, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Council for the Social Studies and the Kentucky High School Speech League.

Sharon Ann Schwab Smith,
Franklin Elementary,
Franklin, Ky.

Sharon Smith is a 25-year teaching veteran, with 22 as a kindergarten teacher in the Franklin Simpson School District at Franklin Elementary. Smith earned bachelor and master’s degrees at Western Kentucky University and has taken an active role in staff development and leadership activities throughout her teaching career. She has represented her school on the local curriculum committee for 10 years and recently helped map the school curriculum to match Kentucky’s Core Content 4.1. Smith was twice featured in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and is a Simpson County Business and Professional Women’s Club “Woman of Achievement” award recipient. She also is a Disney teacher and Kentucky Outstanding Compensatory Education Teacher of the Year awards nominee. Her professional affiliations include the Simpson County and National Education associations.

Debra Meade Slone,
Carr Creek Elementary,
LittCarr, Ky.

Debra Slone has been teaching for 20 years, with six in her current position as a math, visual and language arts instructor for fifth- and sixth-grade students at Carr Creek Elementary. Slone earned her bachelor’s degree at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky., and a master’s degree and Rank 1 certification at Morehead State University. Slone has continued her professional and leadership development through participation in a range of education-enhancement projects, collaborations and programs. She is a recipient of several education grants, a Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment (PRIDE) Club award and a nominee for 2008 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Slone’s professional affiliations include Operation UNITE, the Kentucky Arts Academy, the Association for Women Math Partnership and the Appalachian Math and Science Project.

Todd Toepfer,
Fairdale High School,
Louisville, Ky.

With 21 years’ teaching experience, Todd Toepfer has taught mathematics and physical science courses at Fairdale High School for five years. He also teaches Algebra 1 for Jefferson County’s virtual school. Toepfer earned a bachelors’ degree at the University of California, Davis, and he holds Professional Clear Single Subject certificates in mathematics and physical sciences from California State University, Stanislaus. Toepfer also participated in the Stanford University/San Francisco State University AP Calculus Summer Institute. He has served as a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP) resource teacher, helping to guide an intern teacher to successful completion of the certification process. Toepfer is a recipient of an Award of Excellence through the University of California, San Diego, Outstanding Teacher Recognition Program and is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.

Jimmy R. Wathen,
Hawthorne Elementary,
Louisville, Ky.

Jimmy Wathen has been a teacher for 11 years, and for the last three he’s taught kindergarten students at Louisville’s Hawthorne Elementary. Wathen earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Kentucky University, a master’s degree at the University of Louisville and Rank 1 certification at Indiana Wesleyan University. He has served as a resource teacher for the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program (KTIP), a student teacher mentor, a certified mathematics and cognitive coach and a presenter for a range of other education-related initiatives. Wathen is a recipient of the Jefferson County Public Schools Champions for Children and the Craighead Head Start awards. His professional affiliations include the Western Kentucky, Kentucky and National councils for the Teachers of Mathematics, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and the Jefferson County, Kentucky and National Education associations.