WKU News

Western Kentucky University’s College of Education and Behavioral Sciences is proud to announce this year’s winners of the WKU Distinguished Educator Awards (DEA). These awards are designed to celebrate current Kentucky P-12 educators in WKU’s service region who are making significant contributions to the teaching profession. This is the third year for the awards, and this year, 140 total nominations were received for all 10 categories. 

The winners, their nomination category, their school, and district are as follows:

Teacher Mentor - Cami Fulkerson at Newton Parrish Elementary in Owensboro (Owensboro Independent School District)

Elementary - Carolyn Gifford at Alvaton Elementary School in Alvaton (Warren County Public Schools) (Pictured) 

Middle - Chasity Lowery at Glasgow Middle School in Glasgow (Glasgow Independent Schools)

High School - Samantha Huffman at Barren County High School in Glasgow (Barren County Schools)

Special Education - Terri Zborowski at Burns Middle School in Owensboro (Daviess County Public Schools)

Visual and Performing Arts - Anjali Sivaainkaran at Bowling Green Junior High and Bowling Green High School in Bowling Green (Bowling Green Independent School District) 

Literacy - Summer Garris at LaRue County High School in Hodgenville (LaRue County School District)

Innovation – Amanda Wright at Barren County High School in Glasgow (Barren County Schools)

Diversity – Brandy Adams at Warren Elementary in Bowling Green (Warren County Public Schools)

PE and Health - Holly Johnson at Apollo High School in Owensboro (Daviess County Public Schools)

Each winner was surprised at their school by CEBS Dean, Dr. Corinne Murphy. They received a prize, and their name will be on a plaque in the Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame located in Gary Ransdell Hall. Dr. Murphy, says “These educators are truly the best of the best. They enhance the lives of their students, our schools, and our communities everyday.”

You can learn more about the DEA at https://www.wku.edu/cebs/educatorawards.php.