KSTA Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award

KSTA presents an award to an elementary (K-5) and secondary (6-12) science teacher at the annual conference.  This award recognizes exemplary science teachers across the state of Kentucky who are helping to advance KSTA's mission of effective and innovative science education.

Eligibility

• Teachers from grade levels pre-K through grade 12 are eligible if they have at least three years of full-time classroom experience in Kentucky. 
• Awardees do not have to be a current KSTA member, but will earn complimentary membership for their first year. 
• Current KSTA Board Members are not eligible. 
• Past awardees are not eligible.
• Nominee will complete an application form for award consideration. 

Award

• Plaque and public recognition at the KSTA annual conference
• Grant of $500 to use in any way to enhance instruction. Thank you to Amplify for sponsoring the 2023 awards!
• Complimentary membership in KSTA for one year
• Complimentary registration for the annual conference (in year award is given)
• Press release to the newspaper in the awardee’s home community.
• Awardees are invited to present at least one session at the annual conference regarding the successes of their students and classroom instruction

Nominate a Teacher

Deadline for nominations is September 20, 2023 and awards will be presented at the KSTA Annual Conference November 3-4, 2023.

KSTA Distinguished Science Educator (Sherry Fox Award)

The Distinguished Science Educator award is named in honor of Sherry Fox and her 29 years of service to KSTA, Jefferson County and the University of Louisville. Sherry spent 29 years in Jefferson County’s public school system--biology, anatomy, physiology, curriculum writing, science method workshops and coordinating Jefferson regional biology teachers. She spent 16 years with UL Biosafety Committee and 13 years as KSTA’s Executive Director.

KSTA presents one Distinguished Science Educator Award at the annual conference. This award recognizes exemplary science leaders across the state of Kentucky who have made significant contributions to science education.

Eligibility

• Science education professionals from all levels and types of institutions are eligible, such as public or private schools, universities, colleges, non-formal science institutions, and others. 
• KSTA Board Members are not eligible. 
• Past awardees are not eligible. 

• Plaque and public recognition at the KSTA annual conference
• Grant of $500 to use in any way to enhance instruction.  Thank you to Amplify for sponsoring the 2023 awards!
• Complimentary membership in KSTA for one year
• Complimentary registration for the annual conference in the year following the award
• Press release sent to the newspaper in the awardee's home community 

Nominate an Educator

Deadline for nominations is September 20, 2023 and awards will be presented at the KSTA Annual Conference November 3-4, 2023.

KSTA Outstanding Principal of the Year Award

This is a new award for the organization. The award recognizes exemplary leadership in support of a highly effective science program by a building level principal. The winner will be recognized at the annual conference in November 2023. 

Eligibility

• Building level principals pre-K through grade 12 are eligible for nomination who have worked in partnership with their faculty to support and improve the quality of science teaching and learning in their building.
• Principal must be nominated by teachers in their building.
• Nominee will be contacted to complete an application form for award consideration.

Award

• Plaque and public recognition at the KSTA annual conference
• Grant of $500 to use in any way to enhance your support of science program. Thank you to Amplify for sponsoring the 2023 award!
• Complimentary membership in KSTA for one year
• Complimentary registration for the annual conference (in year award is given)
• Press release will be sent to the newspaper in the awardee’s home community, to KDE for communication across the state and featured on the front page of the KSTA website.

Nominate a Principal

Deadline for nominations is September 20, 2023. Award will be presented at the annual conference November 3-4, 2023.