Clark County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Elaine Farris has been named the fourth annual Dr. Johnnie Grissom Award winner.
Farris was recognized for the achievement at the Clark County Board of Education regular meeting Tuesday.
The Dr. Johnnie Grissom Award is given by the Kentucky Board of Education for those who “strive for achievement through instructional equity.”
Farris said the award was extra special because of her relationship with Grissom.
“The award means a lot because it had her name on it,” Farris said. “I admired her and all she did for the state of Kentucky.”
Grissom was the associate commissioner at the state’s Department of Education when Farris was the deputy commissioner.
“She and I became very good friends as well as colleagues,” Farris said. “I admired her advocacy of students and their parents. When she was diagnosed with cancer, we became even better friends.”
The award is given each year to a person or group with “outstanding accomplishments to help all students achieve at high levels through instructional equity and to closing the achievement gap.”
Clark County administrators Faith Thompson, Donald Stump and Brenda Considine nominated Farris for the award.
“Not only does she represent the epitome of dedication and passion for achieving instructional equity and opportunity in education, but also, perhaps most importantly, her leadership has achieved significant results,” her nomination letter said.
Previous winners of the award include the LaRue County School District in 2010 and Kathleen Reutman Bryant of the Boone County School District in 2011.
Grissom has worked with the Kentucky Department of Education from 1993 to 2010. She worked in the Carolina Department of Public Instruction and as a teacher of special needs and gifted students in Red Springs, N.C.
Contact Casey Castle at ccastle@winchestersun.com.
