FRANKFORT, Ky. (LEX 18)– Four Kentucky school superintendents are in the running for the 2019 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year Award.
The finalists include Ms. Sherry Horsley (Greenup County), Mr. Steve Miracle (Trimble County), Ms. Patricia Sheffer (Union County), and Dr. Emmanuel Caulk (Fayette County).
Finalists were selected based on the following criteria:
1. Leadership for Learning – creativity in successfully meeting the needs of students in his or her school system
2. Communication – strength in both personal and organizational communication
3. Professionalism – constant improvement of administrative knowledge and skills, while providing professional development opportunities and motivation to others on the education team
4. Community Involvement – active participation in local community activities and an understanding of regional, national, and international issues
Meet the finalists:
Sherry Horsley
During her tenure as superintendent, Horsley has led Greenup County Schools from a district labled as persistently low achieveing to a district of distinction. She has also implemented a strategic plan with a focus on universal preschool, college and career readiness, and technology infusion in instruction and learning.
Steve Miracle
Since becoming superintendent of Trimble County Schools, Miracle has made it his focus to level the playing field for students, specifically those on free or reduced lunch, by implementing plans for novice reduction, response to
intervention, and personalized learning to remove all barriers to student success, providing an equitable education for all.
Patricia Sheffer
Under Sheffer’s leadership, Union County Schools teamed up with a community partner to invest in a district-wide reading intervention program that increased first and second grade fall phonemic assessment scores from 5.7 percent in 2016-17 to 58.5 percent in spring 2017-18.
Emmanuel Caulk
Through his leadership, Caulk has led Fayette County Schools through a dramatic turnaround by intentionally engaging students, staff, families, and community members in a top to bottom examination of the district and building systems necessary for sustained success.
The Kentucky award winner, sponsored by KASA and American Fidelity, will be announced Nov. 19. The recipient will participate in the American Association of School Administrators’ Superintendent of the Year Award program and be recognized nationally.
As part of the state recognition program, the Kentucky Superintendent of the Year will receive a surprise visit in his or her school district and be presented a bronze eagle sculpture to commemorate the award, a $2,500 scholarship for a high school senior in his or her district, a SOY ring, and travel reimbursement to the AASA National Conference on Education in Los Angeles.
