Sheffer Named Challenger's Outstanding Educator

Clark Elementary School K-5 science specialist Julie Sheffer was recently named the 2018-2019 Challenger Learning Center at Paducah's Outstanding Educator during a presentation of President's Awards at West Kentucky Community and Technical College.

Sheffer was one of three individuals to receive the special recognition from Dr. Anton Reece during WKCTC's second annual Regional Educators Awards and Scholarship Program March 7 at the Clemens Fine Arts Theatre. Terry Sullivan, director of West Kentucky GEAR UP, and Art Davis, principal at Paducah Tilghman High School also received President's Awards.

The special awards came after the college honored more than 45 educators, administrators and staff in pre-kindergarten through 12th grades and named two finalists and a winner in each of four categories - distinguished administrator, distinguished faculty (PreK-5th grade), distinguished faculty (6th - 12th grade) and the Cornelia Reece Unsung Hero staff award.

The Challenger Outstanding Educator Award was included in the annual recognition program for the first time this year.

Sheffer is in her second year as the K-5 science specialist at Clark Elementary School in the Paducah Public Schools. She has been teaching for 22 years, all of them at Clark. Sheffer has taught third, fourth and fifth grades with 20 years emphasis in science.

Mellisa Duncan, director of the Challenger Learning Center at Paducah, said Sheffer "believes that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education is very important as it reaches into all aspects of our daily lives," she said. "One way she utilizes STEM in her classroom is by bringing students to the Challenger Learning Center, which she has done since it opened in 2002."

Sheffer has a Bachelor of Science degree and a master's degree, both in elementary education and both from Murray State University. She has also achieved a Rank 1 in reading and writing. Sheffer will attend the center's NASA and STEM: On the Move teacher professional development this summer free of charge.