Kentucky's Capitol
(2009-10-23)
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Durell "Butch" Hamm, 2010 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. Hamm will now represent Kentucky in the national Teacher of the Year competition.
Photo by Amy Wallot, courtesy Kentucky Department of Education (Click image to enlarge)
(CLICK ARROW ON BAR ABOVE TO HEAR TONY'S REPORT)
Durell "Butch" Hamm has been teaching English for 24 years, four in the Boone County district. The Morehead State University graduate is also a debate team coach. And Hamm is Kentucky Teacher of the Year. What's he plan to do with the prize money?
"I've got all these things I'm thinking - what can I use to buy in my classroom? And that's just how I am," Hamm told Kentucky Public Radio. "I spend so much money - about on average about $2,500 every year just on my classroom alone."
Hamm received $10,000 from Ashland, Inc. and will represent Kentucky in the national Teacher of the Year competition. This year's middle school Teacher of the Year is Melissa Evans of Corbin Independent schools. The elementary Teacher of the Year is Jan Vaughn Horn of Clark County schools. Horn and Evans each received $3,000.
(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM THE AWARDS CEREMONY)
Hamm told Kentucky Public Radio he has great confidence in today's multi-tasking generation of young people.
"They can text and they can help set up the Internet and the wireless and bring things together," said Hamm. "I am just amazed! I have no doubt that students will carry us much further into the future than where we are presently."
During the ceremonies in Frankfort, Gov. Steve Beshear had words of praise for all teachers.
"You know, I've had people tell me that the job I have, Governor of Kentucky, is a pretty important one," said Beshear. "And I guess it is. But I'm here to tell you, there is no more important job in the Commonwealth of Kentucky than a teacher in our classrooms."
Helping the governor hand out the awards were First Lady Jane Beshear, Education Secretary Helen Mountjoy, Education Commissioner Terry Holliday, and Ashland Chairman and CEO Jim O'Brien. In all, 21 teachers from across the commonwealth were recognized with Teacher Achievement Awards.
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