At the annual 32nd Excellence in Teaching Ceremony recently, Campbellsville University recognized 169 teachers from 60 school districts. A total of 3,749 teachers have been recognized for their teaching excellence throughout the years.
Among them this year were Russellville Independent Superintendent Bart Flener, and Morgan Basham of R.E. Stevenson Elementary School.
Basham is a fourth grade teacher at Stevenson, where she has been teaching since 2012. She graduated from Russellville High School in 2006. She attended the University of Kentucky, where she obtained, in 2010, her bachelor of science degree. In 2015, Basham received her master of arts degree from the University of the Cumberlands.
Her parents are Connie and Mark Stratton of Russellville, Ky. She is married to Clayton Basham and has a daughter, Addilynn Jo Basham.
Kentucky State Senator Max Wise shared his appreciation for the teachers across the commonwealth during the program held at Campbellsville University.
“The ability to mentor students, the ability to watch students walk across that graduation stage, and just the ability to play a role in students’ lives is so meaningful that each of you teachers do every day in so many aspects,” Wise said.
Wise spoke about how as an educator you are along for so many experiences of your students’ lives.
“Their progression is influenced by you every day as an educator -- to help them grow, to help them learn and to mature,” Wise said.
As a parent of four, Wise has become aware of the amount of time teachers spend with their students and the amount of time that goes into planning to provide for their classrooms.
“Your working hours do not start or end by the ring of a bell -- it does not start by a calendar date. I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart for the time and the effort that you put into your job to help your students succeed,” Wise said.
Dr. Donna Hedgepath, provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Dr. Beverly Ennis, dean of the School of Education, presented the certificates to the teachers before a luncheon in Winters Dining Hall.
Hedgepath, who has taught in the public school system, told the teachers, “We celebrate you today. We applaud the best of the best of teachers today.”
Ennis said “Teaching is the profession that creates all others” is a motto hanging in Campbellsville University’s School of Education building.
She said Campbellsville University is the most diverse private college in Kentucky and is in the top five lowest debt colleges in the southern region of the United States.
Dr. Chuck Hamilton, associate professor of education, introduced Max Wise and read the names of the honorees.
Kelli Evans, a Campbellsville University May 2018 graduate, sang, and Corey Bonds, assistant director of bands and instructor in music, accompanied her on piano.
Dr. Shane Garrison, vice president for enrollment services, gave the benediction before the luncheon.
The Excellence in Teaching Awards program is in partnership with Lexington’s CBS-affiliate, WKYT-TV.