KEA Appalachia

06/13/2026

Are you a KEA member and desperately need a getaway? Register to win a free cruise for two! It’s pays to be KEA!

NEA Member Benefits

06/09/2026

05/28/2026

We proudly congratulate Megan White of Breathitt Elementary School on being selected as a recipient of a KEA Presidential Scholarship.

Megan is currently working toward achieving her Rank I, and we commend her dedication to continually expanding her skills by learning new strategies and techniques to build a strong foundation for her “kinders.” Her commitment to professional growth is truly admirable.

KEA Appalachia and UKREA are especially proud that Megan has chosen to take on a leadership role within the Association, and we applaud her dedication and service.

Congratulations, Megan, on this well-deserved recognition!

05/28/2026

We proudly congratulate Jill White on being named a KEA Presidential Scholarship recipient. A dedicated educator with 31 years of service, Jill is currently completing her Rank I while teaching at Corbin Primary School.

Jill is the consummate professional, working diligently each day to ensure the needs of all students are met. Her unwavering work ethic and commitment to continuous growth exemplify what it means to be a lifelong learner.

The entire KEA Appalachia and Upper Cumberland education community celebrates this well-deserved honor and extend our heartfelt congratulations to Jill on this outstanding achievement!

05/27/2026

Rachael Jenkins Named KEA Presidential Scholarship Recipient

Corbin Primary teacher Rachael Jenkins has been selected as a recipient of the Kentucky Education Association (KEA) Presidential Scholarship, a recognition that highlights her dedication to the teaching profession and continued professional growth.

Jenkins, who teaches 1st grade, is currently in her 11th year in the classroom. She is working toward earning her Rank I, the highest level of certification for educators in Kentucky before a doctorate. The scholarship will support her efforts to further her education and enhance her impact on student learning. The entire KEA Appalachia and Upper Cumberland community of educators applaud her efforts and dedication to life long learning!

05/27/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Viola Rose! 🎉
An itinerant art teacher and librarian in Breathitt County, Viola has been selected as a KEA Presidential Scholarship recipient. This honor will support her as she continues her work towards her Rank I, continuing her commitment to excellence in education and student success.

The entire KEA Appalachia and UKREA communities celebrate Viola’s achievement and deeply appreciate the lasting impact made in the classroom each day. And we’re proud to celebrate her dedication to lifelong learning!

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Autumn Fields on being named a recipient of a KEA Presidential Scholarship. As a kindergarten teacher at Letcher Elementary in the Isom community of Letcher County, Autumn inspires our youngest learners to become lifelong learners by building a strong foundation for student success. This well-deserved scholarship will support continued growth as an educator and reinforce a dedication to finding innovative ways to meet the diverse learning needs for all of her students. The entire KEA Appalachia and UKREA communities celebrate Autumn’s achievement and deeply appreciate the lasting impact made in the classroom each day.

05/26/2026

Congratulations to Kelsey Middleton on being awarded a KEA Presidential Scholarship. As a dedicated educator serving elementary special needs students at Black Mountain Elementary in Harlan County, this scholarship will help Kelsey continue her studies and passion to be a life long learner, especially her advocacy for students with diverse learning needs. Our entire Upper Cumberland and KEA Appalachia communities are proud of Kelsey’s accomplishments and grateful for the positive impact she makes every day. Way to go Miss Kelsey!

05/21/2026

It’s Time to Restore Respect—and Pay—for Kentucky’s Teachers

In 2006, KEA President Frances Steenbergen urged the Kentucky General Assembly to address a growing problem: teacher salaries in Kentucky were slipping back toward the inequities that led to the landmark Rose decision in 1990. Lawmakers responded decisively. Under Governor Ernie Fletcher and legislative leaders including House A&R Chair Harry Moberly, Speaker Jody Richards, and Senate President David Williams, the state passed a biennial budget that raised average classroom teacher salaries by more than 10%—the largest increase in state history. At the time, it was hailed as the best education budget since KERA.

Unfortunately, that moment marked not the beginning of sustained progress, but the last truly meaningful investment in teacher pay from the state legislature.

Since that 2006–2008 budget, the average classroom teacher salary in Kentucky has risen just 17.9%—about 1.1% per year. Over the same period, inflation has averaged 2.62% annually. In real terms, teachers have been falling behind year after year.

By the end of the 2024–2025 school year, the average teacher salary reached $56,153. But if salaries had simply kept pace with inflation after that historic increase nearly two decades ago, the average would be about $70,341 today. That gap represents more than lost income—it reflects a long-term erosion of the profession’s value.

Meanwhile, the demands on teachers have only intensified. In 2026, educators are working longer hours and navigating increasingly more complex classrooms. They are expected to follow more scripted curricula, meet the needs of more diverse learners, manage escalating behavioral challenges, and deliver results under constant scrutiny. All of this is happening while, adjusted for inflation, many teachers—especially in Eastern Kentucky—are earning less than they did in 1990.

This is not just a workforce issue—it’s a student issue.

When we fail to invest in our teachers, we struggle to recruit and retain the best talent. When classrooms are understaffed or led by overburdened educators, students ultimately pay the price.

Kentucky cannot claim to prioritize education while allowing teacher compensation to lag so far behind economic reality.
The responsibility lies with both state leaders and local districts. Together, they must recommit to ensuring that every classroom is led by a highly qualified, well-supported, and fairly compensated teacher.

It’s time for meaningful change—not incremental adjustments, but a serious, sustained effort to restore teacher pay to competitive, inflation-adjusted levels. Our students deserve excellent teachers. Our teachers deserve respect—and pay—that reflects the critical role they play.

The future of Kentucky depends on it.
Louisville Courier Journal, January 18, 2006