The 24 winning teachers, listed by school district, are:

Bullitt County
Lisa Wathen
Freedom Elementary

Caldwell County
Jimmy Dyer
Caldwell Co. High

Christian County
Alvia Littleton
North Drive Middle

Clark County
Jan Horn
Shearer Elementary

Daviess County
Angela Gunter
Daviess Co. High

Daviess County
David Ruckdeschel
Daviess Co. Middle

Elliott County
Lonnie Laney
Elliott Co. High

Fayette County
Karen Gill
Henry Clay High

Floyd County
Sandra Stapleton
Allen Central Middle

Harlan Independent
Barbra Ledford
Harlan Elementary

Jefferson County
Anita Winstead
Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary

Jefferson County
Margaret Mattingly
Thomas Jefferson Middle

Letcher County
Stacy Isaac
Martha Jane Potter Elementary

Letcher County
Regina Donour
Letcher Co. Central High

Mason County
Amanda White
Charles Straub Elementary

Morgan County
Sabrina Back
Morgan Middle

Murray Independent
Holly Bloodworth
Murray Elementary

Oldham County
Craig Grimm
North Oldham High

Pulaski County
Jody Paver
South Western High

Rockcastle County
Melissa Singleton
Rockcastle Co. Middle

Scott County
Willow Hambrick
Royal Spring Middle

Shelby County
Thom Coffee
Shelby West Middle

Warren County
Jennifer Clark
Cumberland Trace Elementary

Washington County
Millie Blandford
Washington Co. High

All 24 teachers will be honored at a ceremony in Frankfort October 22 in the State Capitol Building. Representatives of the Kentucky Department of Education, the Governor's Office and Ashland will be on hand to honor the teachers and to recognize the Kentucky Elementary, Middle and High School Teachers of the Year. From that group of three finalists, the Kentucky Teacher of the Year will be named and will represent the state in the National Teacher of the Year competition.

Ashland will present the 24 TAA recipients with cash awards and framed certificates at the awards ceremony in Frankfort. The three Kentucky Teachers of the Year also will receive cash awards and custom-designed glassware commemorating their accomplishments, and all 24 educators will be honored at a special luncheon that day.

The Kentucky Teacher Awards program combines the best elements of the Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards and the Kentucky Teacher of the Year programs. This marks the eighth year the Department of Education and Ashland have jointly honored Kentucky educators.

Judging was conducted in August by a blue-ribbon panel of veteran educators, many of whom have more than 30 years of teaching experience. Applications included information on the nominees' teaching philosophies, their teaching experiences and involvement in their respective communities, as well as letters of recommendation from peers, students, parents, administrators and others.

Ashland has recognized outstanding Kentucky teachers with its Teacher Achievement Awards since 1988. More than $550,000 has been awarded to nearly 350 teachers of grades K to 12.