JCPS' Kumar Rashad named Kentucky's high school teacher of the year
A Jefferson County Public Schools teacher has been honored as one of the top educators in the state by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Kumar Rashad, who teaches at Breckenridge Metropolitan High, was named the top high school teacher of the year during a ceremony in Frankfort on Wednesday morning. Rashad is a math teacher at the alternative school and also leads a course called “Developing Black Historical Conscience." He was been an educator for more than 18 years.
He is also a member of the Louisville Metro Council, representing District 3 following Keisha Dorsey's exit to join Mayor Craig Greenberg's administration.
Rashad's selection in the high school category, which comes with a near $3,000 award, was announced by Education Commissioner Jason Glass. While accepting his award, Rashad thanked JCPS Superintendent Marty Pollio and spoke to the amazing things he and his colleagues around the district are doing for students.
He also asked the audience to participate in a pledge he said his students recite each day.
"Today I pledge to be the best me possible," he began the pledge. "No matter how good I am, I know I can be better. Today I pledge to build on the works of yesterday which leads me to the rewards of tomorrow."
He and the room concluded the pledge, "In essence, all I have is today and today, I choose to believe in me,"
In addition to teaching, Rashad also serves on his school district’s Advisory Council for Racial Equity and is the adviser to the Men of Quality Youth Mentoring Program for at-risk youth.
The overall Kentucky Teacher of the Year was Boone County's Kevin Dailey, who teaches at Ballyshannon Middle School. He won $10,000 and will serve as an ambassadorship for the state department.
There were 22 Kentucky educators selected as recipients of the 2024 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards in July. Of those, 10 were named semifinalist - three of which were from JCPS.
The other JCPS semifinalists were Ryan Davis from Waggener High and Justin Moreschi from Klondike Lane Elementary. They each were awarded $500 checks.
This year, KDE received 1,367 teacher nominations from each of Kentucky's 171 school districts. Of that number, 255 teachers completed their applications.
Judging was conducted by veteran educators from across the state, according to KDE. Applications included information on the nominees’ teaching philosophies, teaching experiences and involvement in their respective communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, families, administrators and others.
More: Republican lawmakers request state audit of JCPS
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: JCPS' Kumar Rashad named Kentucky's high school teacher of the year
