Ibbie Kathryn-Elizabeth “Katy" Cecil, LaRue County High School (LaRue County)
As a third-generation teacher, Katy Cecil clearly has teaching and public service in her blood. As the youngest daughter of two longtime teachers and community leaders in LaRue County, Cecil has always had a profound love for her hometown and for the next generation of thinkers and leaders.
While she did not initially set out to be a teacher, she soon realized this profession was her true calling and returned to LaRue County in 2001 to teach English and take over the Speech and Drama programs that her father started in the mid-1960s.
Cecil believes in broadening the horizons of her students and increasing their educational opportunities in this small rural community. She is a strong advocate for expanding college/career opportunities and dedicates her spare time to students who often don't have other supports in place to fill out applications or prepare for required tests.
During her career, Cecil has been recognized for her teaching acumen, her coaching successes and her service. She has been inducted into the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame, Kentucky High School Speech League Hall of Fame and has received multiple coaching and service awards from various state and national organizations.
Cecil is a three-time Western Kentucky University graduate, earning a bachelor of arts (2000), a master of arts (2007) and master of arts in English literature (2009). Cecil also holds Instructional Supervision and Principal K-12 credentials through the University of the Cumberlands. She currently teaches English and Public Speaking at LaRue County High School.