BOARD OF EDUCATION Kay Sharon, Chair Charlie Wise, Vice Chair Suzy Broadwater, Member John Emary, Member Mike Kinney, Member

SUPERINTENDENT Nannette Johnston ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENTS Robert King, Instructional Services Bobby Lewis, Student Services Gary Milby, Finance/Support Services Jon Ballard, Personnel Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: John Wright

February 18, 2011 Community Relations Specialist

(270) 769-8867

john.wright@hardin.kyschools.us

HCS NAMES WINNER OF WHAS-11 EXCEL AWARD PRESENTED BY LG&E / KU

Elizabethtown, KY – Laureen Laumeyer, a 5^th grade teacher at Meadow View Elementary School, is the winner of WHAS-11 ExCEL Award presented by LG&E/KU.

Ms. Laumeyer (pronounced law-my-er) learned about her award Friday afternoon after going through a rigorous nomination, interview, essay and observation process. She will be honored at a celebration on March 9, 2011 at Meadow View Elementary School.

“I’m absolutely elated,” Laumeyer said. “We have so many wonderful teachers here at Meadow View. I just can’t imagine how many wonderful teachers we have across our district. I really do feel honored.”

Laumeyer also garnered the National Mission US Educator of the Year last month for her innovative use of a new interactive history learning game. She was nominated for that award by Kentucky Educational Television, who partnered with Mission US’s developer, THIRTEEN/WNET.ORG, New York’s public media provider, to introduce the resource. She will receive a trip to New York to speak at the 6th annual THIRTEEN/WNET.ORG Celebration of Teaching and Learning next month.

“Laureen, like all of our teachers at Meadow View, is a great teacher,” Meadow View Elementary School principal Jim Sullivan said. “She truly has the best interest of all of our students at heart. Laureen doesn’t go out looking for these awards. She didn’t even know the National Mission US award existed and she was nominated for the ExCEL Award. She has a giving and caring heart that just smiles when she sees her students learn. I’m overjoyed for Laureen, her family and the Meadow View Elementary School family.”

“Laureen is a terrific representative of the amazing teachers we have all across Hardin County Schools,” HCS Superintendent Nannette Johnston said. “The award affirms that Laureen’s peers think a lot of her and that she is a dynamic teacher who puts children first. She symbolizes the heart and soul all of our teachers give to our students each day. I’m happy for Laureen and the Meadow View family.”

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“We really do feel good about the astounding things that are happening in our district,” Johnston added. “Every time I walk into one of our schools, I can just feel the excitement for teaching and learning. Hardin County Schools is a remarkable place to be.”

Other ExCEL Award winners are:

· 1991: Jimmie Dee Kelley, Parkway Elementary School

· 1992: Laurie Shumard, Rineyville Elementary School

· 1993: Mike Allen, West Hardin Middle School

· 1994: Kathy Schaffrick, GC Burkhead Elementary School

· 1995: Janet Lay, James T. Alton Middle School

· 1996: Nancy Calvert, Rineyville Elementary School

· 1997: Brenda Tucker, Meadow View Elementary School

· 1998: Connie Hayes, Bluegrass Middle School

· 1999: Kimberly Cameron Gill, Meadow View Elementary School

· 2000: Andy Zagar, West Hardin Middle School

· 2001: Becky Bauer, GC Burkhead Elementary School

· 2002: Joe Washington, North Hardin High School

· 2003: James Woods, Radcliff Middle School

· 2004: Brent Wagoner, East Hardin Middle School

· 2005: Andrea Meyer, Lincoln Trail Elementary School

· 2006: Beth Borders, GC Burkhead Elementary School

· 2007: Sheila Larkin, Lincoln Trail Elementary School

· 2008: Meggan Heady, Parkway Elementary School

· 2009: Susan Froedge, Radcliff Middle School

· 2010: Karen Arant: Rineyville Elementary School

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