2 JCPS Teachers Named Semifinalists for Kentucky Teacher of Year

Laura Peavley, Scott Wade among 9 semifinalists selected statewide

September 1, 2020 – Two teachers from Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) have been named semifinalists for the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year Award, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) announced today.

Laura Peavley, from Westport Middle School, and Scott Wade, from ESL Newcomer Academy, are among the nine teachers from across the state selected for the distinction. Peavley and Wade – along with Klondike Lane Elementary teacher Johanna Parr – received 2021 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Awards (TAA) in July, putting them in contention to be selected as semifinalists for Teacher of the Year honors.

“I am proud but certainly not surprised that two of our educators have been named semifinalists for Kentucky Teacher of the Year,” JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio said.  “I know how hard our teachers are working to create engaging, challenging and even fun learning activities in a completely new virtual setting.  To be selected in this environment is even more remarkable and speaks volumes to the dedication and commitment of these teachers.”

A classroom lesson review and interview with each of the nine semifinalists will result in the selection of the 2021 Elementary School, Middle School and High School Teachers of the Year.  The semifinalist with the highest cumulative score will be named the 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. That individual will go on to represent Kentucky in the 2021 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Winners of the elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year awards, in addition to the overall 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, will be announced in a virtual ceremony later this fall.

Valvoline, an independent, publicly traded company with its world headquarters in Lexington, is a proud sponsor of the Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs.