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(Bowling Green, KY) - Mrs. Bonnie Spears has been selected as the next principal of Drakes Creek Middle School (DCMS). 

Mrs. Spears brings over 20 years of experience in education to DCMS, serving since 2021 as the principal at Chandler’s School in Logan County. Prior to serving as principal, she served as the assistant principal of Chandler’s School from 2015-2020 and interim principal from 2020-2021. She has also served as a cognitive coach for Green River Regional Educational Cooperative, a middle grades English/Language Arts teacher, and a middle grades social studies teacher.

During her time in the education profession, Mrs. Spears has been responsible for the instructional and professional leadership of 72 certified and classified staff members and the academic and social development of more than 430 students. She has also worked to develop new student clubs and activities to support their interests and needs. 

“We are excited and honored to welcome Mrs. Bonnie Spears to Warren County Public Schools and the Drakes Creek Middle School community. Mrs. Spears is a proven collaborative leader with high expectations for students and staff which aligns closely with our vision and mission for student success. Her principal experience, along with her personalized approach toward teaching and learning, will be a valuable asset in leading Drakes Creek to even greater heights in the future,” stated Warren County Public Schools’ Superintendent, Rob Clayton.  

Mrs. Spears states, “I am beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to work with the students, staff and the community at Drakes Creek Middle School. It is evident that they are focused on students through building relationships and have high expectations to foster academic success. I look forward to meeting the students and working with the families and community. I want to thank the SBDM council members, along with Mr. Clayton, for the faith they have placed in me to lead this incredible school. Go Gators!”

Mrs. Spears graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education. She received her Master of Arts in Education (summa cum laude) in 2010 and obtained her Rank 1 in Leadership and Administration in 2018 - all from Western Kentucky University. She also received her National Board Certification in Reading - Early Adolescents in 2013 in Arlington, Virginia.      

She will assume her new responsibilities on January 2, 2024.

(Bowling Green, KY) - Kimber Doyle, a Bowling Green native and Warren Central High School senior has been named the Marine Toys for Tots Youth Ambassador of the Year. This honor is given for selflessness, initiative, leadership, and contribution to helping the program grow.

The Youth Ambassador Program, established in 2021 by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, is an endeavor to honor and recognize young people across the country who extraordinarily support the Marine Toys for Tots Program. The Youth Ambassador is a member of a select group of our nation’s youth that serve as representatives and stewards of Toys for Tots helping to create more targeted messaging and interactions within their community. Youth Ambassadors help raise peer-group awareness and encourage support from our younger generation to enhance the community outreach of local campaigns. The program spotlights “children helping children” – those who have gone above and beyond in their communities to help those less fortunate than themselves, while also engaging community members on behalf of Toys for Tots.

Kimber, who has been volunteering with Toys for Tots of Southern Kentucky since age five, was
selected as a Youth Ambassador in 2021 and was promoted to Youth Ambassador Mentor in 2022 by the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Kimber’s mother, Janel Doyle, has served as the
coordinator of Toys for Tots Southern Kentucky for 12 years under the leadership of the
Franklin R. Sousley Marine Corps League, Detachment 1095.

“Kimber has grown up around United States Marines, servant heart volunteers, and witnessed our generous communities help those in need. This honor is not just for Kimber, it is for all of the youth who volunteer with Toys for Tots and promote “children helping children. Serving others is a passion of Kimber’s just like all of the dedicated Toys for Tots volunteers,” said Janel Doyle.

Kimber will receive a national award and participate in the Hollywood Christmas Parade in Los Angeles, California, on Sunday, November 26, 2023. 

(Bowling Green, KY) - The Warren County Public Schools district announces the November Golden Apple Awards winners with tremendous pride! Emma Carmine from Rich Pond Elementary School, Nicole Stokes from Plano Elementary School, Cassie Turner and Casey Stephens from South Warren High School come highly recommended by their co-workers, supervisors, and parent communities. 

The Golden Apple Awards program is a Warren County Public Schools staff recognition initiative. The monthly awards are given to those who go above and beyond their job requirements, demonstrating a commitment to their job, district, students, and fellow employees. 

Winners of the Golden Apple Awards receive a unique, handmade award created by glass artist William VanTassel. The program is made possible thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, as well as Tim Kanaly and Gary Force Honda.

The Golden Apple Awards program is made possible by the support of the following corporate sponsors: Gary Force Honda, Rafferty's, Double Dogs, and Montana Grille. 

(FRANKFORT, KY) – Nominations are now being accepted for the 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year awards. Presented by the Kentucky Department of Education, the awards celebrate some of the Commonwealth’s most outstanding educators.

Any full-time, certified public school teacher in the state with at least 10 years of experience is eligible. Nominations may be submitted via this Kentucky Teacher of the Year Google Form.

Teachers may be nominated by students, parents, teaching peers, principals, superintendents or anyone in the community who has an interest in honoring an outstanding educator.

“The Kentucky Teacher of the Year awards highlight extraordinary educators for their dedication to both their students and the teaching profession,” said Kentucky Interim Commissioner of Education Robin Fields Kinney. “We have more than 43,000 public school educators in the Commonwealth, and I encourage you to nominate deserving teachers for this award.”

All nominated teachers will be invited to submit a formal application by Feb. 1, 2024.

Nominees should:

• Be an expert in their field who advances growth for students of all backgrounds and abilities;

• Build collaborative relationships with colleagues, students and families to create a school culture of equity and success;

• Deliberately connect the classroom to the community to impact student growth and learning;

• Be a lifelong learner and teacher leader and use innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom; and

• Express themselves in an engaging and clear way that conveys the lived classroom experience to a variety of audiences.

A blue ribbon panel of education professionals from around the state will judge all completed applications. Advancing candidates will receive additional review and evaluations.

The highest-scoring individuals in the elementary, middle and high school divisions will be named Kentucky Teacher Achievement Award winners, and the educator with the overall top score will be named the Kentucky Teacher of the Year for their division. One teacher will then be selected as the state’s overall Teacher of the Year.

Recipients will be announced later in 2024 and honored with cash prizes and other awards. The overall 2025 Kentucky Teacher of the Year will represent the state in the 2025 National Teacher of the Year competition.

Now in its 24th year, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year awards program is a collaboration between private industry and public education.

For more information, email awards@education.ky.gov or call (502) 564-2000, ext. 4616.

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence announced today that Warren County Public Schools will join the Prichard Committee’s transformative Kentucky Community Schools Initiative, where the Prichard Committee will channel nearly $1.5 million to the district over the next five years. 

"This is a pivotal moment for education in Kentucky. Our expansion to include new districts in the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative underscores our commitment to improving student futures through community-driven solutions,” said Brigitte Blom, President/CEO of the Prichard Committee. "Each selected district shows promise and shares our vision. We are eager to see the positive change that unfolds in these communities."

 

The Prichard Committee was awarded a $47 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education last year, and it will channel $30 million of the grant directly into the Kentucky education system through the implementation of full-service community schools, known as the Kentucky Community School Initiative.

“The Warren County Public Schools district is honored to be selected as one of only 20 districts across the Commonwealth to participate in the Kentucky Community Schools Initiative. Through implementation of the community schools model, we will continue to build community and business partnerships to address the barriers our students face so that every student has the tools, support and environment they need to thrive. We understand that to ensure our district’s top priorities of safety, achievement and opportunities for our students and staff, it is imperative to have a holistic approach, engaging our community and business partners so that our schools are the best place for students to learn, teachers to teach, and parents to send their children,” said Superintendent Rob Clayton.

 

The Kentucky Community Schools Initiative champions community-led educational solutions tailored specifically for Kentucky students and their families. When implemented effectively, the community schools model has been proven to boost student outcomes, increase college enrollments, and contribute to the overall well-being of students, especially in high-poverty schools.

Warren County will join 20 other districts across the state in implementing the full-service community schools model. With the joint efforts of these districts and the resources provided through the grant, the Prichard Committee is supporting a community-centered approach to education, tailored to the unique needs of each district.