Administrator of the Year: Trent Lovett, Marshall County Public Schools

Trent Lovett is a Murray State University graduate with a major in math, minor in physics. This is his 30^th year in education, all in Marshall County. Trent spent seven years teaching math and science, twelve years as a principal at North Marshall Middle School and Marshall County High School, and this is his 11^th year as superintendent. He has been married to Lisa for 28 years and has three children: Landon, Tucker, and Gabbi.

Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Latonya Taylor-Rowe, Highland Elementary

Latonya Taylor Rowe is a twenty-two year veteran in education. She currently teaches first grade at Highland Elementary in Johnson County, KY. Latonya has been named 2005 and 2014 CEDAR Teacher of the Year, 2014 PBS Digital Innovator, and most recently 2019 KCTE Elementary Teacher of the Year. Latonya is member of the curriculum design team for the Space Challenger Center in Hazard, KY. She has been the lead planner for ECET2EKY the past three years. She is a Hope Street Alumni and a Certified Trainer for Advance KY. She earned her B.S., Fifth Year, and Rank 1 from Morehead State University. Follow her on Twitter @Latonya_Rowe and check out her workshop WAM2 on SparkEd’s website: www.findyouredspark.com.

Middle School Teacher of the Year: Kennita Ballard, Jefferson County Public Schools

Kennita Ballard is originally from the DC area brought to the state of Kentucky by way of an alternative certification program for teachers, Teach Kentucky. She has worked as a 6th ELA teacher at Olmsted Academy North Middle since the beginning of her middle school teaching career. Ms. Ballard is an advocate of all things equity and deeper learning in urban and rural schools. Follow Kennita on Twitter @iheart6ela

High School Teacher of the Year: Scott Osborn, Lawrence County High School

Although he was born and raised in and around New Orleans, Louisiana, Scott Osborn has lived and worked in Louisa, Kentucky, for the past 22 years. After serving in the United States Marine Corps and earning a bachelor’s degree in English Education at Eastern Kentucky University, he joined the faculty of Lawrence County High School, where he teaches 12th grade and college-level English, as well as film. Mr. Osborn serves in a variety of other roles at LCHS as well; he is currently the School Writing Leader, the ELA PLC Lead, EFTours student travel leader, and an SBDM teacher member. In addition, he is the President of the Lawrence County Organization of Teachers, the district's KEA affiliate. Mr. Osborn and his wife, Jenni, celebrate their 25th anniversary this year, and they have three beautiful daughters. Follow Scott on Twitter @MasterOsborn.

College Teacher of the Year: Jonathan S. Cullick, PhD, Northern KY University

Jonathan S. Cullick (Ph.D. University of Kentucky) is a professor of English, former chair of the English Department, and former director of the Writing Instruction Program at Northern Kentucky University. He teaches courses in English secondary education methods, advanced grammar, and writing, and he mentors student teachers in northern Kentucky high schools. He is the co-author of a teacher’s guide and a textbook supplement both published by Bedford St. Martin’s Press, and the author of a writing textbook published by Longman. His publications include Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men: A Reader’s Companion (University Press of Kentucky), Making History: The Biographical Narratives of Robert Penn Warren (Louisiana State University Press), and many articles and conference presentations on American writers, the teaching of writing, and writing program administration. Follow him on Twitter @JonCullick.

Stephanie Kirk Learning Grant Recipient: Aretha Whaley

Aretha Whaley, a lifelong book lover, left her bookstore job to become a teacher so she could connect young people with books they would love. She has been teaching for six years; currently, she teaches ninth and tenth grade at Casey County High School. She is a Fellow of Louisville Writing Project XXXIII. She is blessed to have a husband who understands her desire to own all the books and a son who constantly adds to her to be read pile. She enjoys leading professional development for other teachers to spread the love of books and writing. When she is not thinking about school or books, she knits, scrapbooks, and paints. Follow her on Twitter @ArethaWhaley.