(JORDAN SMITH/WCLU NEWS)
FRANKFORT, Ky – Three Kentucky teachers have been named finalists for the 2021 Special Education Teacher of the Year award. Sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Special Education and Early Learning and the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children (KYCEC), the award is a way to recognize and honor an outstanding teacher in the field of special education.
The three finalists for this year’s award are:
- Stacie Hutchison, Glasgow High School (Glasgow Independent)
- Christy Pellerin, Hillard Collins Elementary School (Boone County)
- Jennifer Packwood, Newport High School (Newport Independent)
Hutchison, who teaches grades 9-14 for students with moderate and severe disabilities, also is an adjunct professor in the Special Education department at Western Kentucky University. She has been teaching since 2014 and was selected for the Leading, Educating, Advocating for Directors of Special Education (DoSE) grant to obtain her DoSE certification this year.
“My greatest accomplishment as a teacher has been the development of my students’ school-based enterprises,” Hutchison said. “Through a small tea business and errand service I’ve seen my students develop skills that stretch beyond their academics. I’ve seen students become problem solvers, develop professionalism, time management skills and a sense of pride over their accomplishments.”
Nominees submitted an application with three letters of recommendation, including one from their principal or supervisor and one from their district DoSE. Finalists also were required to submit a short video.
Each finalist will be awarded a one-year KYCEC membership and a cash prize of $250 from the KYCEC and the Kentucky Council for Administrators of Special Education (KYCASE).
The Special Education Teacher of the Year will receive $500 from the KYCEC and KYCASE, along with a scholarship to attend the Special Education Legislative Summit in Washington, D.C.
The winner will be announced at the annual KYCEC conference, which will be held Nov. 21-23 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville.
