Kevin Dailey, a U.S. history teacher at Ballyshannon Middle School (Boone County), has been an educator for 10 years. The Covington native originally wanted to pursue a career in architectural design, but he realized his true passion was to become an educator.
Ever since his senior year in high school, Samuel Whitehead wanted to be a math teacher and an officer in the U.S. Army. Twenty years later, he is an advanced mathematics teacher at Rowan County Senior High School and a chemical intelligence officer for the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in the Kentucky Army National Guard.
Aretha Whaley didn’t begin her professional career as an educator. When she graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a bachelor’s degree in English, she took a position as an assistant manager at a bookstore to be surrounded by her love of literature.
Justin Moreschi is a 16-year veteran educator currently teaching 4th- and 5th-grade science at Klondike Lane Elementary (Jefferson County).
Christie Biggerstaff’s career goals have always been dedicated to Kentucky’s education system and helping students achieve success.
Beth Gravett has worked in state government most of her professional career. Before she joined the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) in 2011, she was the director of the Division of System Management for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
When Caryn Davidson’s husband got a job in Kentucky in 2014, she transitioned from teaching elementary school in the Washington, D.C., area to working with the Professional Growth and Effectiveness System at the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). Almost 10 years later, she now works as the data and communications consultant in KDE’s Office of Teaching and Learning.
Karen Conway has been a resource analyst III in the District Funding and Reporting Branch of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of District Support since 2002.
As a 15-year veteran teacher, Shannon Kay knows how important education can be in a child’s life. She currently teaches 1st grade in Boone County, but she also has taught preschool and kindergarten.
For the past decade, Ashley Buchanon has been an educator and a Kentucky mathematics teacher leader.