Kentucky Opened Nominations for 2026 Education Award

The state education department is seeking candidates for an award recognizing long-term service to Kentucky public schools.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Administration

Kentucky Opened Nominations for 2026 Education Award

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The Kentucky Department of Education has opened nominations for the 2026 Kevin M. Noland-Mary Ann Miller Award. This recognition honors agency employees for their dedicated service to the state's public education system.

Why it matters

The annual award highlights the efforts of staff members who contribute significantly to the improvement and support of Kentucky schools. It recognizes professional dedication to public education beyond standard job requirements.

The award acknowledges the 18-year career of Kevin M. Noland and the 31-year tenure of Mary Ann Miller. Nominations must be submitted via an online form before the deadline.

The players

Kentucky Department of Education

This state agency oversees public school administration and education policy throughout Kentucky.

Kevin M. Noland

He is a former department employee whose 18-year tenure serves as the namesake for the professional service award.

Mary Ann Miller

She is a former department employee who served for 31 years before being added to the award title in 2017.

Kentucky Board of Education

This board acts as the policy-making body that will host the presentation ceremony for the award.

The details

A designated selection committee is responsible for reviewing and rating all incoming nominations to determine the recipient. The honor specifically celebrates departmental employees who have shown consistent commitment to enhancing Kentucky public schools.

The Kevin M. Noland award was established in 2009.
Mary Ann Miller's name was added to the award in 2017.
The nomination deadline is October 27, 2026, at 5 p.m. ET.
The award will be presented on December 3, 2026.

Culture Shift

The nomination process follows the established criteria set by the Kentucky Board of Education's personnel recognition protocols. This reflects a broader trend of public sector agencies formalizing long-service awards to improve staff retention and internal morale.

The public nomination process allows citizens and staff to highlight educators or administrators who have improved their local schools. This helps identify high-performing department members whose work directly impacts classroom resources and student outcomes across the state.

The takeaway

Staff awards serve as an important tool for acknowledging the long-term impact of public servants on the state education system. Residents interested in nominating an employee should ensure their submission is finalized before the late October deadline.

What happens next

The selection committee will review submissions following the October 27 deadline, and the final award recipient will be recognized during the Kentucky Board of Education meeting on December 3, 2026.