Baird Excellence Awards Honors Educators in Louisville

10^th Annual Baird Excellence Awards Honors Jefferson County Public Schools Educators

LOUISVILLE, Sept. 12, 2023 – Baird was pleased to honor nearly 40 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) teachers and principals at the 10^th annual Baird Excellence Awards at the Waterfront Botanical Gardens on Monday. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Baird, recognizes outstanding teaching and leadership performance from educators across the district.

Baird Vice Chair Jim Allen, JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio and Louisville Deputy Mayor Pat Mulloy provided remarks at the ceremony.   

Baird is thrilled to celebrate the dedicated teachers and administrators in JCPS, and the critical role they play in educating young people in Louisville.

Jim Allen, Baird Vice Chair

“Baird is thrilled to celebrate the dedicated teachers and administrators in JCPS, and the critical role they play in educating young people in Louisville,” Allen said. “We congratulate all of our Baird Excellence Awards honorees and extend our sincere thanks for their tireless hard work, creativity and dedication.”

Principals and students nominate teacher recipients of the Baird Excellence Awards, while assistant superintendents nominate principal recipients. Educators at all grade levels are eligible to be nominated. A panel of business and community leaders reviews the nominations, which are submitted via the JCPS website, and selects the award recipients. In addition to public recognition, honorees receive cash awards to be used in their classrooms.

“These educators represent the best of the best in JCPS,” Pollio said. “Each one is a great example of how a passion for teaching and learning can make a difference in students’ lives. We thank them for sharing their talent with JCPS families and appreciate Baird recognizing our educators with these prestigious awards.”

Following are the 2023 Baird Excellence Awards recipients.

Teacher Awards:

• Crystal Colston, Medora Elementary School
• Amanda Thompson, Western Middle School
• Pam Vanegas, Valley High School

Student-Nominated Award:

• Sade Graves, Grace James Academy of Excellence

Principal Awards:

• Shervita West, Brandeis Elementary School
• Kara Ammerman, Echo Trail Middle School
• Brandy Corbin, Fairdale High School

Academic Instructional Coach:

• Nicole Peters, Bates Elementary School

Special Education Administrator: 

• Stacy Bewley, Ph.D., ECE Community Relations Supervisor, JCPS

Professional Learning Communities: 

• Elizabeth Brawner, Emily Wilkerson, Ava Vanderkolff, Breckinridge Franklin Elementary
• Jennifer Kiser, Robin Stacy, Amber Richardson, Meyzeek Middle School
• Paidin Postle, Hayley Hundley, Michele Lynch, Kim Walker, Maggie Emberton, Butler High School

Health Services Award: 

• Michelle Bruce, Physical Development and Health Services, JCPS

Financial Literacy Leadership Award:

• Wendy Carlton, Crosby Middle School

FRYSC Award:

• Carmelita Weakley, Fern Creek Elementary School and Wheeler Elementary School

Community Partnership Awards:

• Audwin and Rae Helton Teacher Awards: Desiree Brown and Juantrice Denson, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School
• Bellarmine University Teacher Award: Kaitlyn Bratcher, Phoenix School of Discovery
• Class Act Federal Credit Union Teacher Award: Alex Claycomb, Ramsey Middle School
• Unistar Purchasing Solutions/FRYSC Award: Tiffanie Schweinhart, Southern High School
• The Barbara Sexton Smith Teacher Award presented by Fund for the Arts: Dr. Luke Darville, Western Middle School
• Jefferson Community and Technical College Teacher Award: Jason Longenbach, Southern High School
• Junior Achievement Administrator Award: Kim Morales, Executive Administrator of High Schools, JCPS
• Kentucky Science Center Administrator Award: La’Tonya Frazier-Goatley, Principal of Grace James Academy of Excellence
• Metro United Way Early Care and Education Award: Dr. Terri Davenport, Compliance Specialist for Early Childhood, JCPS
• Metro United Way Out-of-School Time Leadership Award: Judith Wilson, Parent and Family Engagement Specialist, JCPS
• Russell Garth Principal Award: Shuvon Ray, Price Elementary School
• University of Louisville Teacher Award: Caitlyn Workman, Westport Middle School
• Evolve 502 Champion Award: Ashley Poore, Ballard High School
• YMCA Award for Youth Development: Suzanne Wright, Executive Administrator-Project Management, JCPS

About Baird

Baird is an employee-owned, international wealth management, asset management, investment banking/capital markets, and private equity firm with offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Established in 1919, Baird has approximately 5,100 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird has more than $405 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2023. Committed to being a great workplace, Baird ranked No. 23 on the 2023 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For^® list – its 20^th consecutive year on the list. Baird is the marketing name of Baird Financial Group. Baird’s principal operating subsidiaries are Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated and Baird Trust Company in the United States and Robert W. Baird Group Ltd. in Europe. Baird also has an operating subsidiary in Asia supporting Baird’s investment banking and private equity operations. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.

About Jefferson County Public Schools

Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is a leading urban school district that provides a high-quality education for 96,000 students (about 1 of every 7 students in Kentucky). Parents can choose the school and the programs that best meet their child’s needs and match his or her learning style. From preschool to adult education, JCPS is known for educational innovation, dedication to students, and highly qualified teachers and administrators.

For additional information, contact:

Baird Public Relations
(414) 765-7250
publicrelations@rwbaird.com