Educators honored at WKCTC President's Awards

Caldwell County seventh-grade science teacher Melinda Smith recently was named this year's Challenger Learning Center's Outstanding Educator during a recent presentation of President's Awards at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Smith was one of four individuals receiving special recognition during the sixth annual program. 

Also receiving President's Awards were Jay Simmons, retired Carlisle County Schools Superintendent and current WKCTC Board of Directors chair; Cynthia Alston, retired educator from Paducah Public Schools; and Dr. Casey Allen, Ballard County Superintendent.

The special awards came after the college honored more than 125 educators, administrators and staff in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, and named two finalists and a winner in each of four categories - distinguished faculty (PreK-5th grade), distinguished faculty (6th-12th grade), distinguished administrator, and the Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero Administrative Staff and Support Staff Awards, named for the wife of Dr. Reece.

Smith, a Paducah Community College alumnae, has 20 years of teaching experience with an emphasis on science, and she has taught seventh-grade science at Caldwell County Middle School since 2010. 




Melinda Smith, a seventh-grade science teacher at Caldwell County Middle School and 2022-2023 CLC Outstanding Educator (second from left) after the March 30 REASP event at WKCTC with Cynthia Alston, retired educator from Paducah Public Schools; Dr. Casey Allen, Ballard County Superintendent (left) and Dr. Anton Reece, WKCTC president.