Mandy Young spent most of her educational career teaching math and science, but that didn't stop her from leaving a lasting impression on an English teacher with whom she worked. This July, she'll be honored by the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English with the Administrator of the Year Award at Bellarmine University, thanks to a nomination from her former colleague in Gallatin County.
She has been the instructional coach at CCMS for the past two years and was shocked to learn she was nominated by the former colleague. The award is for an administrator who supported implementation of English teaching in general, she said, noting she worked in the same capacity in Gallatin County before returning here.
“I was very surprised,” Young said. “I was surprised there was enough impact that they thought of me.”
The nomination and award are no surprise to CCMS Principal Dr. Robin Stephenson. “From the moment Mandy joined our team, her dedication to improving teaching and learning has been unwavering. Mandy continuously works to foster a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement here at CCMS,” Stephenson said.
Carroll County Schools Superintendent Casey Jaynes offered his congratulations to Mrs. Young. “Being nominated by one of your peers is a testament to Mrs. Young's influence in the educational community,” he said.
Young recalled her initial reaction when she received the email about the nomination. "I thought it was spam or a phishing attempt and almost deleted it," she laughed. Instead, she reached out to the nominating teacher to confirm it was real.
Reflecting on the honor, Young smiled and said, "I feel like I’ve left an impact." Her mission is to continue supporting teachers at CCMS, helping them excel and ensuring they know she's there for them.
"When I work with teachers, the impact is exponential," she added. "I impact one, but they impact hundreds."