WKU News

The 2023 class of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was inducted Friday at WKU. From left: Accepting for the late Helen Russell, her sons Eddie and Rick Russell; Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman; Robin Fields Kinney, Interim Commissioner of Education; accepting for the late Donna Smith, her sister Sue Holder; Jesse Brown; and Kimberlea Embry.

Four exceptional educators who made an impact in their classrooms and their communities were inducted into the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame on Friday in a ceremony at Western Kentucky University.

The 2023 inductees were Jesse Reide Brown, who retired from Glasgow Independent Schools after 30 years of teaching high school history; Kimberlea Embry, who has taught at Butler County High School for 32 years; the late Helen Russell, who worked for 44 years in education in Barren County as a social studies teacher, instructional specialist, and curriculum coordinator; and the late Donna Smith, who taught math at Allen County-Scottsville High School for 30 years. All four are graduates of WKU.

“WKU is proud to continue our longstanding commitment to changing the world one teacher at a time,” President Timothy C. Caboni said. “And while we celebrate every graduate who carries this degree from our institution, today, we honor an elite four chosen for their noteworthy contributions to education, to our schools and to our youth.”

For more than 100 years, WKU has prepared teachers to make a difference in our community, state, nation and world, President Caboni said. “That longstanding commitment to teacher education not only continues today, but is, in my opinion, the strongest yet,” he said.

He noted that the Teacher Hall of Fame “not only provides us with the opportunity to celebrate those who epitomize the teaching profession, but also the opportunity to elevate teaching as a first-choice career for our next generation of students.”

Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman said she reminds future educators that the job won’t be easy, but “I can promise you it will be worth it, and I can promise you that you will make a difference every single day.”

In addition to congratulating the inductees, Coleman recognized their family members. “Teaching is a sacrifice. It is a commitment. It’s a team sport. It may even be a contact sport,” she said. “It takes an entire family coming together in service to your community, understanding late nights and understanding early mornings. For those we are honoring today, you have done the work. For those who are with you today, you helped make that possible.”

Robin Fields Kinney, Interim Commissioner of Education, introduced the 2023 inductees and shared details about their careers and their impact.

Jesse Reide Brown: A Legacy of Passionate Teaching and Community Engagement

Jesse Reide Brown, a stalwart figure in the Glasgow Independent School District, graduated in 1962 from Western Kentucky State College, now WKU. His 30-year tenure as a history teacher at Glasgow High School, followed by 12 years (and counting) as a dedicated substitute teacher, showcases his enduring commitment to education.

Beyond the classroom, Brown’s community involvement, including leadership roles in the Kiwanis club and the annual Kiwanis Bowl, exemplifies his dedication to fostering academic excellence. He is noted for starting the award-winning academic team at Glasgow High School and continues to help coach them in Social Studies. Brown’s impact on students spans generations, making him a deserving inductee into the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.

Kimberlea Embry: A Multifaceted Educator and Inspirational Leader

Kimberlea Embry, a 1990 WKU graduate who has spent her career at Butler County High School, stands out for her versatility and impactful contributions. As a Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher, Department Head of Career and Technical Education, coach for the Cross Country team, and adviser of the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America student organization, Embry’s dedication to her students is unparalleled.

Her influence extends beyond the classroom, evidenced by her involvement in state curriculum committees and leadership roles in educational associations. She plans to retire after this school year. Embry's legacy at Butler County High School, marked by the success of the FCCLA program, merits her inclusion in the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.

Helen Russell: A Lifelong Educator and Inspirational Mentor

The late Helen Russell's 44-year dedication to education in the Barren County School District leaves an enduring legacy. As a social studies and history teacher, she earned the title of the "heartbeat of Barren County High School." After graduating from WKU in 1970, she taught at multiple schools in Barren County before retiring for the first time in 2000. She worked as the Curriculum Coordinator at Barren County Middle School until retiring a second time in 2015. Russell passed away in 2020.

Russell’s impact on students and colleagues is evident in heartfelt testimonials, describing her as a brilliant, empathetic, and transformative teacher. Even posthumously, Helen Russell's influence lives on, as she joins the ranks of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.

Donna Smith: Remembering the "Coolest Math Teacher in the World"

The late Donna Smith, a math teacher at Allen County-Scottsville High School and a 1983 WKU graduate, was renowned for her ability to make math enjoyable and memorable. With a 30-year career, Smith left an indelible mark on her students through her passion for math and her commitment to their well-being. To many, she was the “coolest math teacher in the world.”

A mentor and friend to many, Smith’s impact extended beyond the classroom, influencing the school culture, and fostering a sense of family among colleagues. She passed away in 2021. Donna Smith's legacy of teaching with love and care earns her a well-deserved place in the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.

About the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame: The Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was created in 2000 through a gift by former Gov. Nunn, who hoped to recognize the vital role that classroom teachers in Kentucky play in the education of young people and the positive impact education has on the state’s economy. WKU was selected as the home of the Teacher Hall of Fame because of its more than 100-year history in teacher education. Learn more at https://www.wku.edu/kythf/.

Contact: Jessica Basham, (270) 745-4030

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Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.