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Campbellsville University honors Butler County Teachers

Dr. Shane Garrison, dean of online education at Campbellsville University; Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for academic affairs; Elliot Douglas Blanton, BCHSl; Monica Crawford, BCMS; Kimberly Mae Grubb, MES; Dr. Beverly Ennis, dean of the Campbellsville University School of Education; Chad Flener, principal of MES; Michael Gruber, assistant principal of BCHS; and Scott Howard, superintendent. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joshua Williams)

CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – “I hope you are proud of yourselves and your accomplishments. Today is a day to celebrate you!”

            Rhonda Sims, associate commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education, told the 199 teachers from 70 school districts throughout Kentucky honored by Campbellsville University, teaching is an important job, a hard job and a challenging job.

            Sims, a 1984 Campbellsville College graduate, was the guest speaker at the 30th Annual Excellence in Teaching Awards Ceremony Saturday, May 21 at the Ransdell Chapel on the Campbellsville University campus.

            Sims urged teachers to not say “I’m just a teacher” when asked what they do. She told them to say: “‘I inspire,’ ‘I innovate,’ ‘I motivate,’ ‘I engage,’ ‘I challenge’ or ‘I nurture children.’”

            She told the honorees they prepare the next generation to lead, think and solve problems.

            “You can love the subject matter you are teaching, but without care, concern and compassion for your students, you may be a good teacher, but you will never be a great teacher,” Sims said.

            Sims taught before going into administration with the Kentucky Department of Education, and said, “Teaching ignited a fire within me that I still feel when I go to work each day.”

            After playing school with dolls when she was a little girl, pretending they were students, she said, “When I got into the classroom with real students, I discovered that teaching was not only my calling, but also my passion,” she said.

            “You wouldn’t be here today if you didn’t have that passion for your students and share that love of learning.”

            Dr. Shane Garrison, dean of online education, made a special announcement in which Campbellsville University will be offering a $1,000 scholarship to each award recipient to be used toward any online master’s degree program at Campbellsville University for a total of nearly $200,000.    

           In addition, Campbellsville University will allow this scholarship offer to be shared with others. Award recipients can recommend a fellow teacher, colleague, family member or friend for a $1,000 “Pay It Forward” scholarship. He said principals and superintendents of honored teachers can also recommend someone for the scholarship.

            The deadline to apply for the scholarship is July 29, and students must begin their academic coursework either in August or October of this year. More information can be found at online.campbellsville.edu/excellenceinteaching.

Dr. Donna Hedgepath, vice president for academic affairs; Dr. Beverly Ennis, dean of the School of Education and Garrison presented the certificates to the teachers before a luncheon in Winters Dining Hall. Garrison also gave the invocation.

Hedgepath, who has taught in the public school system, told the teachers to “Enjoy the day; it’s about you.”

Dr. Beverly Ennis, dean of the College of Education, said, “Thank you for your service to children.” She told of the history of Campbellsville University, and said Campbellsville University is the most diverse private college in Kentucky and is in the top 20 lowest debt college in the United States.

Dr. John Chowning, executive assistant to the president of Campbellsville University for government, community and constituent relations, introduced Sims and also read the names of the honorees.

At this 30th annual program, CU recognized 199 teachers from 70 school districts. A total of 3,390 teachers have been recognized for their teaching excellence throughout the years.

The Excellence in Teaching Awards program is in partnership with Lexington’s CBS-affiliate, WKYT-TV.

            The Excellence in Teaching Award recipients include the following with their superintendent listed first:

            Butler County Schools - Scott Howard, superintendent; Kimberly Grubb, Morgantown Elementary School; Monica Crawford, Butler County Middle School; and Elliot Blanton, Butler County High School.

            Grubb has taught at Morgantown Elementary School since 1991. She has taught kindergarten, fourth grade math and physical education.

            Grubb graduated from Butler County High School in 1988. She attended Western Kentucky University where she received her bachelor of arts degree in 1991 and her master of arts degree in 1994.

            Grubb is the wife of Pat Grubb; they have three children: Payton Grubb Flener, Brennan Grubb and Keagan Grubb. Her parents are Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Embry of Morgantown, Ky.

            Crawford has taught at Butler County Middle School since 2013. She teaches art and drama.

            Crawford graduated from Warren Central High School in Bowling Green, Ky. She attended Western Kentucky University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Art in 2008 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education in 2012. She is pursuing a master’s  degree from Georgetown College.

            Crawford is the wife of Kyle Crawford. Her mother is Carol Vincent.

            Blanton has taught at Butler County High School since 2010. He teaches tenth through 12th grade Spanish.

            Blanton graduated from Elizabethtown High School in Elizabethtown, Ky. in 2003. He attended Western Kentucky University where he received his bachelor of arts degree in 2007 and his master of arts degree in 2013.

            Blanton is the husband of Kaci Blanton. His parents are Janet Blanton of Olaton, Ky. and Larry Blanton of Leitchfield, Ky.

            Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with more than 3,500 students offering over 80 programs of study including 24 master’s degrees, seven postgraduate areas and eight pre-professional programs. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.

By Joan C. McKinney, coordinating director, and Jesse Harp, student news writer
 

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