2009 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners with (seated left to right): Commissioner of Education Jon Draud, Chairman and CEO Jim O'Brien, Lisa Wathen, Karen Gill, Willow Hambrick, Governor Steve Beshear and Secretary of Education Helen Mountjoy

Sabrina N. Back,
Morgan Middle School,
West Liberty, Ky.

Sabrina Back has taught for six years, with two of them in her present position, teaching language arts courses to sixth-grade students at Morgan Middle School. Back earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Morehead State, and she also has achieved National Board Certification. Back co-directs the Mountain Writing Project at Hazard, Ky. She is the middle school representative for the Morgan County District Response to Intervention (R.T.I.) initiative, a writing cluster leader and content representative for the Consolidated School Improvement Plan. Back has conducted numerous professional development sessions and has received a range of awards and recognitions throughout her career. In addition to the Mountain Writing Project, her professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National councils of Teachers of English.

Millie Blandford,
Washington County High School,
Springfield, Ky.

With 13 years’ teaching experience, Millie Blandford has taught science courses at Washington County High School for the past two years. Blandford earned an associate degree at Saint Catherine College, Springfield, Ky.; bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Campbellsville University and Rank 1 certification at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. She is a candidate-in-waiting for National Board Certification and a resource teacher for the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program. Blandford has received a range of honors throughout her career, including Amgen Science Teaching Excellence and Campbellsville University Teacher of Excellence awards and inclusion in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers. Her professional affiliations include the Science Alliance, the Kentucky and National Science Teachers associations and the Washington County and Kentucky Education associations.

Holly Mayo Bloodworth,
Murray Elementary School,
Murray, Ky.

Twenty-one year teaching veteran Holly Bloodworth has taught Murray Elementary third-graders for four years. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Murray State and has achieved National Board Certification. Bloodworth is MSU director of the Kentucky Reading Project, a member of the MSU Policy and Review Committee, a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program resource teacher, writing cluster leader, student-teacher supervisor and Odyssey of the Mind coach/coordinator. She has received Outstanding Primary Teacher, Tahoe 2 Top 20 Teachers and MSU Teacher of the Year awards. Bloodworth served as a Rotary ambassador to Brazil and was selected to participate in an environmental study in Bregenz, Austria. Her professional affiliations include the National and Kentucky Education, National Science Teachers, Murray Education and International Reading associations and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Jennifer H. Clark,
Cumberland Trace Elementary,
Bowling Green, Ky.

Jennifer Clark has taught for 20 years, with eight in her current position, teaching third-grade students at Cumberland Trace Elementary. Clark earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. She continues her development through participation in education-related initiatives and programs, such as the Cumberland Trace Leadership and Reading First Literacy teams, the Site based Decision Making Council and the Warren County Primary Steering Committee. Clark has mentored students, student teachers and interns and served as team leader for Thoughtful Education Strategies. She is a recipient of Campbellsville University’s Excellence in Teaching and Al Crabb English Teacher of the Year awards. Her professional affiliations include the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English Language Arts and the International Reading Association.

Thom Coffee has taught for seven years, all in his present position, teaching world history to seventh-grade students at Shelby West Middle School. Coffee earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Louisville. He is a member of the Shelby and District Instructional Leadership teams and the Assessment for Learning Design Team. Coffee has developed, presented and led a number of professional development initiatives and trained Shelby County Public School leadership groups/staffs at five schools on his “backwards planning model.” Coffee is a recipient of WHAS Excel Teacher of the Year, Shelby County Middle School Teacher of the Year, Shelbyville Rotary Teacher of the Year and Shelby County Board of Education W.O.W. (What Outstanding Work) awards. His professional affiliations include the Kentucky Leadership Academy and the Kentucky and National Education associations.

Regina Donour,
Letcher County Central High School,
Whitesburg, Ky.

Regina Donour has been teaching for 11 years, with three in her current position, teaching biology and chemistry courses at Letcher County Central High School. Donour earned bachelor’s degrees at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, and Morehead State; a master’s degree at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y.; and 5-8/9-12 endorsements at the University of Virginia, Wise. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Donour is a recipient of Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year, Letcher County Employee of the Month, and Kentucky Environmental Teacher of the Year awards. As a recipient of a German/American Fulbright scholarship, she will travel to Potsdam, Germany, in 2009. Her professional affiliations include the Appalachian Math and Science Partnership, National Energy Education Development, and the Kentucky and National Science Teachers associations.

Jimmy Dyer,
Caldwell County High School,
Princeton, Ky.

With 20 years’ teaching experience overall, Jimmy Dyer has taught science courses at Caldwell County High School for 14 years. Dyer earned his bachelor’s degree at Western Kentucky University and participated in the Fifth Year Program at Murray State. His most recent professional development/leadership activities include participation in a “Thoughtful Education” workshop and serving as a presenter for the Kentucky Science Teachers Association (KSTA). Dyer, who also invites college students and fellow teachers to observe his classroom, is a GTE Gift fellow and a recipient of Wal-Mart and KSTA High School Science Teacher of the Year awards. His professional affiliations include the Kentucky Science Teachers, Kentucky High School Athletic, Kentucky and National Education associations.

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

Karen Gill has taught for 18 years, with 16 in her present position, teaching science courses at Henry Clay High School. 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 an Engaging Kids to Learn grant, a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Ashland Teacher, Inviting Classroom 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.

Craig Grimm has taught for six years, with five in his current position, teaching social studies at North Oldham High School. Grimm earned a bachelor’s degree at Morehead State and a master’s degree at Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He has also achieved National Board Certification. Grimm participates in the Oldham County Curriculum Alignment Project and the Social Studies Professional Learning Community. He mentors new teachers and candidates for National Board Certification. Grimm’s honors include a North Oldham High School Teacher of the Quarter Award (student selected) and inclusion in Who’s Who of America’s Teachers. His professional affiliations include the Kentucky Association of Teachers of History, National Council for the Social Studies, College Board for Secondary Schools, Site Based Decision Making Council, National Honor Society and Divided We Fail political action group.

Angela Gunter has taught for six years, all in her present position, teaching English courses at Daviess County High School. Gunter earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville; and a master’s degree at Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Gunter trains cluster leaders, coordinates a poetry competition and serves on the Site Based Decision Making Council. She coaches academic teams and advises her school’s National Honor Society. She is the recipient of a Kentucky Association of Assessment Coordinators grant and Daviess County High School “Teacher of the Year,” University of Kentucky “Teacher Who Made a Difference,” and Daviess County Public Schools Foundation Focus awards. Her professional affiliations are the Kentucky State Writing Advisory, Daviess County Literacy and Technology committees; Kentucky and National councils of Teachers of English, and the Kentucky Scoring Accuracy Assurance Team.

Willow Hambrick has taught for 11 years, teaching language arts and writing courses at Royal Spring Middle School for the last two of them. Hambrick earned a bachelor’s degree at Hanover College, Hanover, Ind.; a master’s degree at Spalding University, Louisville; and +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.

Jan Horn has taught for seven years, with four in her current position, teaching language arts to fifth-grade students at Shearer Elementary. Horn earned a bachelor’s degree at Transylvania University, Lexington; and a master’s degree and Rank 1 certification at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Horn has served as a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program resource teacher and as a presenter for professional-development initiatives. She serves as a member of the District Leadership Team and the School Based Decision Making Council. Horn is the recipient of a “Teacher Who Made a Difference” award and has been included in Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Her professional affiliations include Pi Lambda Theta and the Kentucky Education Association.

Stacy Isaac, an eight-year teaching veteran, has been teaching fourth-grade students at Martha Jane Potter Elementary for the past two years. Isaac earned a bachelor’s degree at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky.; a master’s degree at Morehead State; and Rank 1 certification at the University of the Cumberlands, Williamsburg. Isaac has served as a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program resource teacher and as a cooperating teacher in the Midway College Student Teacher Program. She is a member of the Letcher County Public Schools Aspiring Principals Cadre, her school’s Response to Intervention (R.T.I.) team and the Letcher County District Instructional and Curriculum Team. Isaac is a previous Kentucky Teacher of the Year semifinalist and was recently included in Who’s Who Among Executive and Professional Women in Education and Research. Her professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National Education associations.

Dr. Lonnie Ray Laney has taught for 18 years, with 15 in his current position, teaching mathematics at Elliott County High School. Laney earned a bachelor’s degree at Transylvania University, Lexington; master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Kentucky; and administrative certifications at Morehead State. He serves as curriculum supervisor and as component manager for the School Improvement Plan. Laney also has served as a GEAR UP grant site facilitator, chair of the Math Department, member of the Site Based Decision Making Council and various school committees, and as a resource teacher for three interns. He has received many honors over the course of his career. A member of the Kentucky Education Association, Laney’s other professional affiliations have included Phi Delta Kappa, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and the Kentucky Science Teachers Association.

Barbra Ledford, a 19-year teaching veteran, has served her entire career at Harlan Elementary, teaching fourth-grade students. Ledford earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, Tenn.; and Rank 1 certification at Union College, Barbourville, Ky. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Ledford is a Kentucky Teacher Internship Program resource teacher, and she mentors candidates for National Board Certification. She has received Harlan County Chamber of Commerce Career Achievement, Outstanding American Teacher, USA Today All USA Teacher and Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching awards. Her professional affiliations include the Education Professional Standards Board Math Task Force and KDE Core Content Advisory committees, the Kentucky Science Teachers and Kentucky Education associations, and the Kentucky Teacher Forum.

Alvia B. Littleton,

A 26-year teaching veteran, Alvia Littleton has taught mathematics at North Drive Middle School for two years. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, as well as Rank 1 Gifted Education and Level 1 Administrative certification at Murray State University. Littleton serves as a participant and presenter at a range of conferences, institutes and academies. She is a member of the School Based Decision Making Council and the recipient of a School-to-Work mini-grant for a “Reality Math Shop.” Littleton also received an Excellence Award from the Connecticut Association of Private Special Education Facilities. Her professional affiliations include the Second District, Christian County and Kentucky Education associations.

Margaret Mattingly has taught for 11 years, with eight in her present position, teaching English and journalism courses at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. Mattingly earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Louisville, and she continues her development through participation in education-related conventions and conferences. Mattingly co-chairs her school’s Student Motivation Committee and serves as yearbook and newspaper adviser. She also organizes the “Teacher Lip Sync” and “Write Night/Literary Night” events. Mattingly is a recipient her school’s Terrific Award and the Kentucky High School Journalism Association Newspaper Award. Her professional affiliations include the National Council of Teachers of English, Journalism Education Association, National Scholastic Press Association and the Kentucky High School Journalism Association.

Jody Paver began her teaching career seven years ago and has been teaching family and consumer science courses at Southwestern High School for four years. She earned a bachelor’s degree at Berea College, Berea, Ky.; a master’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond; and 12 graduate hours at Spalding University, Louisville. Paver has continued her development through participation in a range of conferences, training programs and committees. She has received honors throughout her career, including Pulaski Recognizes Innovative Staff Members (PRISM) District and Southwestern High School Adult of Optimistic Character awards and recognition for Innovative Classroom Teaching Techniques and Real World Student Instruction. Paver’s professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National Education associations and the Kentucky Association of Teachers of Family and Consumers.

David Ruckdeschel,

David Ruckdeschel began teaching 11 years ago. For the past seven, he’s served as music and band director for Daviess County Middle School. Ruckdeschel earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Kentucky and a master’s in music education at Murray State University. Ruckdeschel also serves as his school’s Arts Team leader, and he chairs the Kentucky Music Education Association’s District 2 Secondary Instrumental Division. Ruckdeschel has been named a “Teacher of the Month” by Daviess County Middle School, and he’s been included in Who’s Who Among Educators. His professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National Music Educators associations and the Daviess County and Kentucky Educators Associations.

Melissa Singleton has been teaching for 14 years, all of them in her current position, teaching social studies to eighth-grade students at Rockcastle County Middle School. Singleton earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and Rank 1 Certification at Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond. She has presented at a Kentucky History Conference, participated in the Kentucky Teacher Internship Program, attended a National Council of History Educators Conference and utilized Marie Carbo Reading Strategies. Singleton has received a Kentucky National History Day Teacher of the Year Award and has been recognized in Who’s Who Among American Educators five times. Her professional affiliations include the Kentucky and American associations of Professional Educators, Organization of American Historians and the National Council of History Educators.

With a decade of teaching experience, Sandra Stapleton has taught English communications and language arts at Allen Central Middle School for seven years. Stapleton earned a bachelor’s degree at Alice Lloyd College, Pippa Passes, Ky.; and a master’s degree at Morehead State. She also has achieved National Board Certification. Stapleton has served as her school’s portfolio cluster leader, scoring team trainer and writing program adviser, as well as a teaching team leader trainer, academic team coach and Governor’s Cup trainer. She has received Senate Honor’s, High Merit Poetic Achievement, Editor’s Choice, Excellence in Teaching/Outstanding Service, and House of Representatives Academic Achievement awards. Her professional affiliations include Pi Lambda Theta, Biltmore’s Who’s Who Among Professional Women, the Kentucky and National Education associations and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Lisa Wathen has taught for four-and-a-half years, all of them at Freedom Elementary, teaching third- and fourth-grade students. Wathen earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky; a master’s degree at the University of Louisville; and Rank 1 certification at Indiana Wesleyan. She serves on the School Based Decision Making Council and has represented her school on the Faculty Senate, County Wide Math Network, Curriculum & Instructional Practices, Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and District Curriculum Map Development committees. Wathen received University of Louisville Outstanding Teacher, two Freedom Elementary Teacher of the Year, Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching and Bullitt County Elementary Teacher of the Year awards. Her professional affiliations include the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, National Science Teachers Association, Kentucky Association of School Councils and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Amanda White has taught for five years, all of them in her current position, teaching first- and second-grade students at Charles Straub Elementary. White earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Morehead State and Kentucky Reading Project certification at Northern Kentucky University, Covington. She has taught professional development courses on curriculum coordination and reading strategies for new teachers. White also has served as a member of her school’s Professional Learning Community Committee and of the Kentucky Reading Project. She also has mentored high school students who are interested in teaching. She is a recipient of the Staff World Award for creativity in learning and has been a nominee for the Disney Teacher of the Year Award. White’s professional affiliations include the Kentucky and National Education associations and Kappa Delta Pi.

With 26 years’ teaching experience, Anita Winstead has taught third-grade students at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary for 13 years. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Louisville and has continued her professional development throughout her career. Winstead is an Instructional Leadership Team member and a third-grade team leader. She recently served as a resource teacher for the Alternative Certification in Elementary and Secondary Education (ACES) minority teacher certification program. Winstead is a recipient of five Fund for the Arts grants and of Aegon Teacher, League Educator Apple, Wal-Mart Teacher and Rotary Club of Louisville Teacher awards. An article Winstead wrote, “Using Drama to Introduce Classic Literature,” was published in Gifted Child Today. Her professional affiliations include the Jefferson County Teachers, Kentucky Education and National Science Teachers associations and the National Council for Social Studies.