13th Annual Baird Excellence Awards Honors Louisville Educators
LOUISVILLE, Oct. 8, 2026 – Baird was pleased to honor more than 30 Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) teachers and principals at the 13th annual Baird Excellence Awards at The Olmsted on Wednesday. The awards ceremony, sponsored by Baird, recognizes outstanding teaching and leadership performance from educators across the district.
Baird is honored to celebrate the remarkable teachers and administrators in JCPS, and the critical role they play in educating young people in Louisville. These award recipients represent the very best of public education through their commitment to learning, leadership and student success. Baird is proud to help support their important work and celebrate these remarkable educators for all that they have done and continue to do for their students and for Louisville.
Jim Allen, Baird Vice Chair
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.
As I begin my second year as superintendent of JCPS, my appreciation for the extraordinary talent, passion and dedication of our educators continues to grow. This year’s Baird Award honorees exemplify the excellence that exists throughout our district. Their innovation, unwavering commitment and belief in every child’s potential bring our promise of “Every Student. Every Year.” to life. I am incredibly proud of these outstanding educators and grateful to Baird for its continued partnership in recognizing those who make a lasting difference in the lives of our students.
Dr. Brian Yearwood, JCPS Superintendent
Following are the 2026 Baird Excellence Awards recipients.
Teacher Awards:
- Sarah Bowling, Greathouse/Shryock Traditional
- Kayla Bohn, Echo Trail Middle School
- Norah Wakefield, J. Graham Brown School
Student-Nominated Awards:
- Brooke Smith, Middletown Elementary School
- Emily Hines, Kammerer Middle School
- Mary Bulka, Ballard High School
Principal Awards:
- Dr. Angela Parsons, J. Graham Brown School
- Tim Alexander, Lassiter Middle School
- Carly Hamilton, Ballard High School
Professional Learning Communities Awards:
- Danielle Barnes, Mindy Hoffmann and Amanda Kessler, Wilder Elementary School
- Dr. Gillian Griggs, Daysia Hampton and Danielle Gaines, Academy at Shawnee Middle School
Health Services Award:
- Bobbie Lester, Indian Trail Elementary School
FRYSC Champion Award:
- Anthony Goins, Schaffner Traditional Elementary School
Financial Literacy Leadership Award:
- Kyle Johnson, Moore High School
Community Partnership Awards:
- Bellarmine University Teacher Award: Laila Quarles, Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School
- Bill Alden Special Recognition Award: Ashley Blount, Southern High School
- Class Act Federal Credit Union Teacher Award: Clay Moody, Jeffersontown High School
- Compassionate Schools Project Award: Catherine Graber, Bloom Elementary School
- Fund for the Arts Educational Leader Award: Mike Ice, Greathouse/Shryock Traditional
- Jefferson Community and Technical College Foundation Counselor Award: Nicole Scales, Western High School
- Junior Achievement Teacher Award: Beverly Barbour, Seneca High School
- Kentucky Science Center Educational Leader Award: Elvira Paguada-Gutiérrez, Hawthorne Elementary School
- Metro United Way Early Care and Education Award: Patrick Neel, Diane Porter Preschool
- Metro United Way Out-of-School Time Leadership Award: Ryan Davis, Waggener High School
- University of Louisville Counselor Award: Dr. Nicole Fields, Grace M. James Academy of Excellence
- Evolve502 Champion Award: Stephanie Mancuso, Iroquois High School
- YMCA Award for Youth Development: Dr. Christie Horn, Cane Run Elementary School
About Jefferson County Public Schools
Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) is a leading urban school district that provides high-quality education for nearly 97,000 students. JCPS is Kentucky's largest school district. One in every seven students in Kentucky attends school at JCPS. Parents can choose the school and the programs that best meet their child's needs and match their learning style. From preschool to adult education, JCPS is known for educational innovation, dedication to students, and highly qualified teachers and administrators.
About Baird
Established in 1919, Baird has more than 5,400 associates serving the needs of individual, corporate, institutional and municipal clients. Baird has more than $595 billion in client assets as of June 30, 2026. Committed to being a great place to work, Baird ranked No. 16 on the 2026 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® list – its 23rd 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. Robert W. Baird Limited and Baird Capital Partners Europe Limited are authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. For more information, please visit Baird’s website at www.rwbaird.com.
For additional information, contact:
Baird Public Relations
(414) 765-7250
publicrelations@rwbaird.com
