The newest members of the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame will be inducted Feb. 14 in Frankfort. From left are Estelle Bayer, Sharon Graves and Helen P. Raby.
Three outstanding educators have been selected for the fifth class of the Gov. Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
The three chosen by a statewide selection committee are Estelle Bayer, Sharon Graves and the late Helen P. Raby.
They will be inducted during a ceremony at 1 p.m. (Eastern time) Feb. 14 at the State Capitol in Frankfort.
The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was created in 2000 through a gift by former Gov. Nunn, who hoped to recognize the vital role that primary and secondary teachers in Kentucky play in the education of young people and the positive impact education has on the state’s economy. WKU was selected as the home of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame because of its more than 100-year history in teacher education.
Estelle Bayer
Estelle Bayer
A native of Richmond, Estelle Park Bayer retired last summer after 35 years as a Latin teacher.
Bayer taught at Madison Central High School from 1978 to 2011 and at Brentwood Middle/High School in St. Louis from 1970 to 1972. She received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College in 1969, Rank II from Eastern Kentucky University in 1979 and Rank I from University of Kentucky in 1990.
Her awards include the Kentucky World Language Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, Richmond Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year Award, Ashland Oil Golden Apple Achiever Award and American Classical League Merita Award. Bayer is a member of numerous organizations including the state and national Junior Classical League and the Kentucky Classics Association.
Sharon Graves
Sharon Graves
Sharon Graves, a native of Madison County, has taught history at Clark-Moores Middle School in Richmond for the past 22 years.
She attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received a bachelor’s degree in 1978, a fifth-year degree in 1992 and Rank I in 2002. She also taught at Towhatan School in Boyce, Va., in 1983 and at Tri-County North High School in Lewisburg, Ohio, in 1986-87.
Her awards include the Daughters of the American Revolution Outstanding Teacher of American History, Kentucky Department of Education Teacher of Excellence and Kentucky Historical Society Award of Merit. Graves is a member of education and history organizations and also coaches the Clark-Moores mock trial team, which won the state championship in 2011.
Helen P. Raby
Helen P. Raby
A native of Springfield, Tenn., the late Helen Price Raby taught in Logan County schools for 31 years. She retired from full-time teaching in 1977 but continued to serve as substitute teacher until 1991.
Raby entered Western Kentucky University in 1934, continued her education while teaching and raising a family, and received her bachelor’s degree in 1958. She taught in one-room schools for five years then at Adairville, Olmstead and Russellville.
She founded Russellville Christian School at Crittenden Drive Church of Christ and helped establish Russellville Adult Day Care Center and Logan County Retired Teacher’s Association.
Raby received awards for volunteer service in Logan County and was the author of “Story of My Life.” She died July 21, 2010.
Contact: Cathie Bryant, (270) 745-4662.
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