Hopkins County Schools is seeking nominations for the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year and Employee of the Year awards.

Teacher of the Year nominees must have a minimum of three years teaching experience. The Teachers of the Year will be selected in the categories of Elementary (P-5), Middle (6-8) and Secondary (9-12).

Categories for Employee of the Year nominations are: Administrator of the Year, eligible nominees would include principals, assistant principals, central office administrators, and guidance counselors; Classified Support Services, eligible nominees would include instructional assistants who work in a classroom setting to enhance student achievement and Family Resource employees who provide student needs throughout the district; Facilities Management, eligible employees would include all custodians and district maintenance staff; Food Service, eligible nominees would include all cafeteria employees, cafeteria managers and district food service employees; Transportation, eligible nominees would include bus drivers, bus monitors, vehicle maintenance staff and district employees; Secretary of the Year, eligible employees would include all school secretaries; and Central Office Employee of the Year, eligible employees would include all central office staff.

Nominations will be accepted through the close of business, 4 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023. Online nomination forms are available at the following links:

Teacher of the Year

Employee of the Year

A printable form is available at the following link. It should be mailed to Employee of the Year, Hopkins County Schools, 320 S. Seminary Street, Madisonville, KY 42431. Attention: Crystal Carlton.

Employee of the Year Nomination Form (pdf)

The 2023 high school graduation rates have been set:

Hopkins County Schools Academy
Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Hopkins County Central High School

Hopkins County Central High School
Awards Ceremony, Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 2 p.m.
Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 6 p.m.
Graduation, Tuesday, May 23, 2023, at 7 p.m.

Madisonville North Hopkins High School
Awards Ceremony, Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 1 p.m.
Baccalaureate, Sunday, May 21, 2023, at 6 p.m. at Victory Church
Graduation, Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 7 p.m.

*Tickets are required for the HCCHS and MNHHS graduation ceremonies.

Melissa “Missy” Cobb, the PE teacher at Southside Elementary, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on May 15. She is described as a teacher who cares, and one who goes out of her way to spread love to others. As an example, she was given the task of morning outdoor car rider duty. She decided to make it her mission to bring a smile to students’ and parents’ faces! She has purchased costumes that she wears when greeting the children and has developed relationships with their parents. The car rider line has gone from a place of frustration to one of joy. She also reaches out to co-workers, checking in with them and offering to help when they are going through a difficult time. She is described as a teacher who shows up for both students and co-workers!

When asked her “why,” Cobb said, “Sometimes joy and/or comfort are found in the simplest of actions. My why is to extend kindness, a smile, a reason to laugh in hopes of bringing at least a glimpse of joy or comfort into the lives of our students, their families and my co-workers. I view each of those groups of people as an extension of my family. In return, I am the recipient of joy and comfort.”

Sarah Neathery, a 4^th grade teacher at Pride Elementary, received the Remember Your Why Award at the Board of Education meeting on May 1. She has gone above and beyond the past few months to help people at her school who have been hit with serious health problems. She puts other’s needs above her own and goes out of her way to help others. She loves on her colleagues, which is shown by little gifts she leaves to brighten their day. She recently organized the “Falcons Fight Together” T-shirt surprise for a teammate who was getting ready to begin chemotherapy treatments. She has a special way of doing things for others without expecting anything in return!

When asked her “Why,” Neathery said, “I work alongside many amazing individuals who I consider ‘family.’ We all have a joint mission: to see students succeed and become the best version of themselves. When I heard the news about staff members having health issues, I knew it was my chance to try and spread light and kindness to see them smile.  It brings me pure joy to see others smile. Many ideas that we have carried out have been student initiated. Watching them grow, mature, and show so much empathy to those hurting around them has been the highlight of my career. It shows that as a ‘Falcon Family’ we have led by example to teach students to be kind individuals.”

Crystal Farmer, attendance secretary at Hopkins County Career and Technology Center, was presented with the Remember Your Why Award at the March 6 Board of Education meeting. She has a huge heart and wants our students to succeed! After hearing that a student did not have a home or caregiver, she took it upon herself to make sure the student’s needs were met. She helped the student find a stable home, food, and clothing. She also helped make sure this student had everything needed in order to take the nursing exams.

She described her “why” as follows: “When I was made aware of the situation, I felt something deep inside telling me I had to speak up and do what I could to help. I have never had that exact feeling before, so it took me by surprise! I am so blessed to be able to make a difference in a young person’s life.”