Nominations for the 2026 NKYEC Excellence in Education Awards
On April 21, 2026, the Northern Kentucky Education Council will host the annual celebration to honor our community’s outstanding students, educators, community partners, and business leaders. Nominations for the following awards open Dec. 1, 2025 and are due by 5:00 p.m., January 12, 2026.
Teacher, Administrator, and Staff Awards
Nominees will no longer be required to submit an application for the following awards, nomination forms are below.
Golden Apple Award
Golden Apple Awards recognize exemplary full-time or part-time teachers with a minimum of five years of experience in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, middle, junior high, or high school. The term “teacher” includes everyone for whom certification is required. Nominees must demonstrate their leadership within the school and/or community, their commitment to professional growth and development, and their ability to implement differentiated learning strategies. Click here for the nomination form.
A.D. Albright Administrator of the Year Award
The A.D. Albright Administrator of the Year Award recognizes an administrator who is making a difference by promoting educational excellence in Northern Kentucky. An administrator may include, but is not limited to, ECC directors, principals, superintendents, or vocational directors. Nominees may serve at early childhood, elementary, middle, or high schools. Nominees must demonstrate their leadership and professional accomplishments in education, ability to implement innovative programs and initiatives, and their collaboration with community partners and stakeholders.
Click here for the nomination form.
Extraordinary Service Award
The Extraordinary Service Award recognizes school staff who exhibit extraordinary service, make a positive difference every day, have a heart for people, and lead by example. Nominees can include Counselors, FRYSC, School-based Therapists, Secretaries, Bus Drivers, Maintenance Staff, Cafeteria Staff, etc. Nominees may serve at early childhood, elementary, secondary, or vocational schools. Click here for the nomination form.
Community and Business Partner Awards
Community Partner of the Year Award
The Community Partner of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding nonprofit organization in NKY that has shown exemplary leadership by facilitating partnerships, outreach, and impact within local public schools. This award celebrates collaborative efforts that impact student success and family well-being, and honors those working to build a cohesive community for the greater good. Click here for the nomination form.
Business Engagement of the Year Award
The Business Engagement of the Year Award recognizes an area business that is engaged with a Northern Kentucky public school and/or district and is dedicated to improving student achievement through high-impact partnership activities such as mentoring, internships, job shadowing, STEM activities, literacy coaching, Junior Achievement, First Lego League, service learning, etc. Click here for the nomination form.
High School Senior Awards
Nominees are NOT required to complete an additional application process for the following awards, but supporting documentation is required with the nomination.
Student Leadership Awards
The Student Leadership Awards recognize Northern Kentucky high school seniors who exhibit exemplary academics and leadership characteristics. Nominees will be judged based on their academic excellence and leadership experience, including, but not limited to, positions of leadership in student organizations/clubs, athletics, and/or community organizations. In addition, the required recommendations will also be considered.
Click here for the nomination form.
Career & Technical All-Star Awards
The Career & Technical All-Star Awards recognize Northern Kentucky high school seniors who excel in their career or technical field/pathway. Nominees will be judged based on the description of course load, internship/co-op experience, and recommendations.
Click here for the nomination form.
Against All Odds Awards
The Against All Odds Awards recognize Northern Kentucky high school seniors who have overcome obstacles to achieve academic success. A recommendation citing specific examples of the student’s ability to overcome significant obstacles, along with an essay from the student will be considered. Click here for the nomination form.
Scholarship Application
High school seniors must complete the following application to be considered for the St. Elizabeth Scholarship.
St. Elizabeth Scholarship
St. Elizabeth Healthcare’s Scholarship Program: This program provides $2,000 scholarships to Northern Kentucky and Southeastern Indiana high school seniors pursuing a degree in the healthcare field, including public health, biochemistry, nursing, medicine, behavioral, occupational health, environmental health, quality, safety, or other health-related disciplines. Click here for the application >> coming soon!
Continuing Education Award
All nominations will come from KY Adult Education programs.
Spirit of Determination Award
The Spirit of Determination Award will be presented to an adult education student who has earned or is in the process of earning a GED in Gallatin, Carroll, Campbell, Boone, Kenton, Grant, Pendleton, or Owen Counties. The nomination from KY Adult Education will recognize an adult who is graduating or in the process of graduating, has overcome incredible obstacles, has shown great determination in continuing education, and has never stopped striving for success.
We are looking forward to this exciting event for NKY Education!!