FRANKFORT - A Campbell County teacher was named Kentucky's 2002 Elementary Teacher of the Year on Thursday.

        Reeda Stamper Hart, a first- and second-grade teacher at Grant's Lick Elementary in Alexandria, was selected from among the state's 23,000 elementary teachers.

        “I love my job,” Ms. Hart said Thursday. “I'd rather do it than anything else.”

        Ms. Hart was one of three finalists for Kentucky's Teacher of the Year. That honor went to Stephen H.T. Lin, a music teacher from Jefferson County's Atherton High School, who was the high school winner.

        Mr. Lin received $10,000 and will represent Kentucky in the national 2002 Teacher of the Year competition.

        Anthony Creed Turner, a science and social studies teacher at Harlan Middle School in Eastern Kentucky, was named Middle School Teacher of the Year.

        Ms. Hart and Mr. Turner will each receive $3,000.

        Ms. Hart plans to spend the money on her school's science lab and outdoor classroom, which she started in 1993 with prize money she received with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science Teaching.

        A 25-year classroom veteran, Ms. Hart has been at Grant's Lick for 12 years. She previously taught at Southern Elementary in Pendleton County.

        An advocate of hands-on learning, her emphasis is in science and technology.

        “She's one of those teachers that goes above and beyond,” said Grant's Lick Principal Alan Ahrman. “She is loving and caring with the students but also very demanding.”

        A consultant and trainer for many education programs, Ms. Hart has led workshops on topics such as the environment and technology at state, regional and national conferences.

        “We are extremely proud of Reeda,” said Campbell County Schools Superintendent Roger Brady. “She is an educational leader in not only her own school, but for our entire school district. ... She never loses sight of what is truly important: educating our children. She is one of the best at what she does.”

        The three winners were selected from the 21 who were named 2002 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Award winners. This is the first year Ashland has partnered with the state on the Teacher of the Year awards.

        Ms. Hart earned a bachelor's degree from Northern Kentucky University and a master's from Xavier University.

        Ms. Hart's other honors include Who's Who among America's Teachers, Cincinnati's Public Service Recognition Award, Campbell County's Conservationist of the Year Award, the state Conservation District's Environmental Education Teacher of the Year and the state Parent Teacher Association's Teacher of the Year.

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