After changing her college major five times, Keva Buckley finally settled on becoming an educator. When applying for classes, she accidentally signed up for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) education course at Eastern Kentucky University, not realizing it was different from other education courses. From this initial class, Buckley discovered her passion for American Sign Language (ASL) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community.
The kindness and encouragement from one of her former teachers inspired Melinda Richardson to pursue a career as an educator. A 4th- and 5th-grade math teacher at Clay City Elementary School (Powell County) since 2006, she said her greatest accomplishment is encouraging students to create positive change in the world by giving back to their communities.
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.
Rebecca Brewer has always had a passion for learning, creativity and helping others. This is why she fell in love with education and decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a certification in learning/behavior disorders at Bellarmine University. She also earned a master’s degree as a literary specialist.
Lauren Niemann, an environmental education teacher at Fern Creek High School (Jefferson County), is passionate about cultivating humane practices in her classroom.
Christi Bailey, a recently retired outreach consultant for the Kentucky School for the Deaf, never let her students settle for anything less than their best.
Carla Lewis, a 1st-grade teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf, comes from a long line of educators. But it took an elective sign language course in college to cement her plans.
When Shannon Heath McClain joined the Kentucky School for the Deaf in 2007 as a middle school teacher, he always said that KSD was his dream job.