The 2025 Award Winners
Recognized at the Annual Conference:

Early Career ELA Teacher of the Year: 

Ms. Kelsea Miskell, Gallatin County Middle School

Kelsea Miskell is a horror enthusiast and dedicated 7th-grade ELA teacher with a passion for inspiring young readers. She earned her bachelor's degree in English Literature from Northern Kentucky University and is currently pursuing a master’s in Education. Kelsea thrives on building positive, supportive relationships with her students and creating a classroom environment where a love for literature can flourish. Whether she’s introducing classic novels or chilling tales, her goal is to make reading meaningful, engaging, and fun.

Kelsea also was selected as the 2025 Stephanie Kirk Learning Grant! 

Elementary School ELA Teacher of the Year:

Ms. Cassie Ipock, Sinking Fork Elementary

Panther Pride is a way of life for Cassie Ipock--she'll tell you that being voted "Most School Spirit" as a member of the Dawson Springs High School Class of 1996 is her claim to fame. For the past 13 years, she has served as an English teacher for grades five through seven. Currently, she is a fifth grade English teacher at Sinking Fork Elementary (SFE) in Hopkinsville where she is hard at work cultivating empathetic communicators through project-based learning. Along with being named Certified Employee of the Year at SFE (2024-25) and Murray State University's Outstanding Elementary Educator of the Year (2025), Ipock is a journalist working in local print media, community servant, cancer survivor, mother, "Grandmama," sister, and aunt.

Middle School ELA Teacher of the Year: 

Mr. Zachary Neal, Campbell County Middle School

Zach Neal serves as the English Instructional Lead at Campbell County Middle School in Alexandria, KY where he has been for four years. Zach earned his BFA from Mount St Joseph University in 2020, his MAT from Thomas More University in 2023, his EdS from the University of the Cumberlands in 2024, and he is currently in the final year of his EdD program. Mr. Neal is a very active educator in the Commonwealth having served on the Reading and Writing Standards Review Committee for KDE and various other roles within the Kentucky Education Association.

High School ELA Teacher of the Year: 

Ms. Kimmi Beard, Eastern High School (JCPS)

Kimmi Beard has been a high schoolEnglish Language Arts teacher for five years and currently teaches at Eastern High School in Louisville, Kentucky. She holds a B.A. in English from Ball State University and an M.A.T. in Secondary English Education from Bellarmine University. A Louisville Writing Project Fellow, Kimmi is passionate about empowering students to find their voice through writing, critical thinking, and engaged reading. She is honored to be named KCTE’s 2025 High School ELA Teacher of the Year. 

College ELA Teacher of the Year: 

Dr. Tiffany Young, Jefferson Community & Technical College

Dr.Tiffany Young is anAssociate Professor and English Department Head at Jefferson Community and Technical College. She is passionate about inclusive pedagogy that celebrates and welcomes the diverse student experiences students bring to the classroom. She works collaboratively with faculty to foster meaningful, equitable learning experiences.

Special Education Teacher of the Year: 

Ms. Tracy Beil, Scott High School (Kenton Co)

As a special education teacher with a background in English, I enjoy collaborating with English teachers to support all learners in the classroom. In my role as department chair, I strive to lead our special education team with compassion and a focus on student success. I also coach the school’s bowling team, which gives me the chance to help students build confidence and teamwork skills. Outside of school, I love spending quality time with my children and grandchild.

Administrator of the Year: 

Jeremy Dodd, Gallatin County Middle School

Jeremy Dodd is the principal of GallatinCountyMiddle School. In his administrative career, he has served students in every grade, preschool through 12th. Mr. Dodd is driven to help others succeed and truly enjoys when others have opportunities for success. In his free time, he enjoys spending quality time with his wife and two children.

The Gretchin Niva Service Award: The Gretchen Niva Service Award is given each year to an outstanding proponent of English/Language Arts and literacy.

This year, KCTE surprised the Conference chair, Sarah Webster, by awarding her this award for her hard work and dedication to her students and the profession. 

Sarah Webster has over 10 years of experience working with middle and high school students. She loves creating engaging lessons, helping students grow in reading and writing, and exploring media and storytelling in the classroom. She is involved in many programs including National Writing Project and is the conference chair for KCTE.