The Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline Inc., sponsors of the Kentucky Teacher Awards, have adopted a new schedule for the honors. This spring timetable will give the Teacher of the Year more flexibility in taking a sabbatical and preparing for the national competition.
With the change, nominations are now open for the 2018 Kentucky Teacher Awards and may be submitted electronically at http://kentuckytoy.com. The deadline is Feb. 1. Any full-time public school teacher in the state with at least three years of experience is eligible; additional qualifications are cited on the application. Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching peers, principals, superintendents, or anyone from the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.
All nominees must complete a formal application by Feb. 20. Judging will take place in March, and up to 24 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award winners will be announced in May. After site visits with nine semifinalists in April and personal interviews with the top three candidates, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be announced in Frankfort. At that time, all 24 teachers will be honored with cash awards and other mementos. Teacher Achievement Award winners will receive a gift of $500; two of the three finalists will receive $3,000; and the Teacher of the Year will receive $10,000 along with an exciting sabbatical opportunity. The big winner will also represent Kentucky in the National Teacher of the Year competition.