Kentucky Opened Nominations for 2026 Education Award
The state is seeking nominations for an employee who has made significant contributions to Kentucky public schools.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Administration
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The Kentucky Department of Education has opened the nomination window for the 2026 Kevin M. Noland-Mary Ann Miller Award. This annual honor recognizes an employee for their dedicated service to the state's public schools.
Why it matters
The award serves to highlight the contributions of staff members who work to support local families and the educational success of students across Kentucky.
Nominations are open through October 27, 2026, for the honor that originated in 2009 and was expanded in 2017 to include the legacies of both Noland and Miller.
The players
Kentucky Department of Education
The state agency responsible for overseeing public school systems and education policy across Kentucky.
Kentucky Board of Education
The governing body that oversees the state's education department and will host the award presentation ceremony.
The details
Interested parties must submit their nominations for a Department of Education employee using the agency's online portal. Once the deadline passes, a dedicated selection committee will review and rate all submissions to determine the recipient who best exemplifies the standard of service set by the award's namesakes.
Timeline
• 2009: The Kevin M. Noland award was established.
• 2017: Mary Ann Miller's name was added to the award.
• October 27, 2026, 5 p.m. ET: Deadline for award nominations.
• December 3, 2026: The award will be presented.
The Home Front
The annual recognition program follows the long-standing tradition of honoring civil service within the state's educational infrastructure. This cycle continues the established practice of reviewing department staff contributions to the public school system.
If you know a department employee who has gone above and beyond for local schools, visit the official department website to complete the nomination form. Ensure all submissions are finalized by 5 p.m. ET on October 27 to be considered for the 2026 cycle.
The takeaway
Recognizing the efforts of public school staff helps maintain the quality of the educational system that families in Kentucky rely on every day. Consider keeping a record of exceptional teachers or administrators to nominate during future state-led recognition cycles.
What happens next
The selection committee will evaluate all entries following the October 27, 2026, deadline, leading up to the final presentation ceremony scheduled for the Kentucky Board of Education meeting on December 3, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about state policy in the Kentucky Administration section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kentucky Teacher.
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