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Head of the class

Horn finalist for Kentucky Teacher of Year award

October 23, 2009|By Bob Flynn

For the second consecutive year, a Clark County teacher has been recognized for her outstanding work in the classroom.

Shearer Elementary School fifth-grade language arts teacher Jan Horn was one of only 24 teachers across the state to recently receive a 2010 Ashland Oil Teacher Achievement Award.

She was then chosen as one of nine finalists for the Kentucky Teachers of the Year — three teachers each from the elementary, middle and high school levels. As finalists, the nine each received a $500 award.

For the past nine years, Ashland Oil and the Kentucky Department of Education have sponsored the awards, which are based on the teachers' experience, teaching philosophies and involvement in their communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents and administrators.

Judging for the Teacher Achievement Awards was conducted in August by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators, many of whom have more than 30 years of teaching experience.

Horn has been teaching for seven years, the last four at Shearer. She holds a bachelor's degree from Transylvania University and a master's degree and Rank 1 certification from Eastern Kentucky University.

She also has achieved National Board Certification, received the "Teacher Who Made a Difference" award, serves as a member of the District Leadership Team and Site-based Decision-making Council, and has been included in Who's Who Among American Teachers.

The 24 TAA recipients will be honored today at a ceremony in at the Capitol in Frankfort. Representatives from Ashland Oil and the Department of Education will also recognize three teachers from the nine finalists as Kentucky's 2010 elementary, middle and high school Teachers of the Year.

One of the three divisional winners will then be chosen as the Kentucky Teacher of the Year and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year Competition.

All 24 teachers will receive cash rewards and certificates at the Oct. 23 luncheon. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive cash awards, as well as custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments.

Since 1988, Ashland Oil has awarded more than $575,000 to nearly 375 teachers.

Contact Bob Flynn at bflynn@winchestersun.com

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