Tommy Floyd
Kentucky Department of Education Chief of Staff Tommy Floyd has received the Richard Thornton Award from the Kentucky School Public Relations Association (KYSPRA).
Floyd was presented the award at the organization’s annual conference Nov. 14.
Floyd was named to the newly created position about a year and a half ago, after 5½ years as superintendent of the Madison County schools. Earlier, he was Madison’s interim superintendent and chief academic officer for two years.
During his tenure in Madison County, he helped launch a number of initiatives, including a Middle College program; transitional mathematics and reading courses based on ACT benchmarks for college readiness; and the Positive Approach to Student Suspensions, which decreased suspensions in the district by 34 percent.
Earlier, Floyd worked in the Wayne County, Montgomery County and Somerset Independent school districts, and at the Kentucky Department of Education, where he was a Highly Skilled Educator. He has been a teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, a principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent.
His recognitions include the Kentucky Association of School Administrators’ Administrator of the Year, the Kentucky School Boards Association’s Kids First Advocacy Award and the national Reading Recovery Teacher Leader Award.
KYSPRA created the Richard Thornton Award in 2001 to honor the contributions to public education made by Thornton, a longtime KYSPRA member and past president of the National School Public Relations Association. It is presented to an individual or organization for exceptional leadership and dedication to public education in Kentucky.
Mr. Floyd was my high school principal. He brought pride and tradition back to Somerset High School, and his leadership and dedication during his tenure there were obvious. I am now an educator myself, and proud to say that I am a “product” of Somerset Independent Schools.
In the archway of the entrance to our school was written: “Through these halls pass tomorrow’s leaders.”
Many leaders were created in that high school atmosphere, all because he was leading by example! Thank you, Mr. Floyd!