The Impact of Intentionality: LaRue County’s Katy Cecil Inducted Into Hall of Fame
Superlatives are rarely what motivates a teacher to teach. Becoming the “best” takes a backseat to influencing the lives of students. Encouraging them to pursue greatness is all most teachers could hope for, but one LaRue County teacher is getting recognized for that influence in a blend of accolade and acknowledgement. LaRue County’s Katy Cecil will be one of three Kentucky teachers inducted into the Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame.
“It’s an incredible honor, naturally,” Cecil said. “One of my former students who credits me with having a profound impact on his own life and career reached out to me to let me know he was nominating me.”
That student was John Slack, an LCHS graduate of 2012 and someone who worked with Cecil for forensics as well as in class.
“I could point to a million reasons why I nominated Mrs. Cecil, but I guess the main one is that she always strives to go the extra mile to support each of her students,” Slack said. “The fact that other former students and colleagues were willing to help with the nomination process only reinforced my belief that Mrs. Cecil deserved to be part of this elite group.”
For those who know Cecil in a professional capacity, there’s always been an immovable quality to her. LaRue County Schools Superintendent David Raleigh said “In over three decades of serving public schools in Kentucky, I can say Katy stands out in a memorable way.”
Cecil, the daughter of another LCHS legend Garland Blair, carved her own path in education. Decades of students have passed through her doors, but it only took a few to make the nomination a reality.
“I was touched but I never dreamed I would actually get in,” she said.
Cecil has taught at LaRue for over 20 years, a storied career that includes national forensics championships, AP class successes, and generations of students finding their voice under her tutelage. Slack was part of that storied career, and because of her support, he felt that Cecil deserved recognition.
“Every student who goes into her classroom knows she’s in their corner and will support them no matter what, and if that doesn’t justify being in the Hall of Fame, I don’t know what would,” Slack said.
Parents also see a difference thanks to Cecil’s involvement in their child’s life. School Board Member Joanna Hinton is a mother of a child who had Cecil as a teacher, and Hinton speaks to Cecil’s dynamic capabilities.
“I’ve had the gift of seeing Katy in both the professional and parent capacity,” Hinton said. “As a board member, it makes me extremely proud to know that we have a teacher of this caliber in our ranks because she positively impacts her colleagues and students in a way that builds better culture.
“Speaking as a parent, with my own children having studied under her teaching, it means even more to see how she treats her students with such love and intentionality.”
Cecil said the honor of being inducted is something that resonates with her, inspiring her to put even more back into the classroom.
“Every teacher wants their students to feel loved, valued, and successful — not just for the short time we have them in the classroom, but beyond our doors, as well,” she said. “This honor has made me feel those things, and that feels pretty great!”
Writer’s Note: This writer lucked out by having Katy Cecil as an educator in both middle and high school, and forensics coach through much of her high school years. When she felt invisible, Katy was one of the few teachers who helped her feel seen. When she felt stifled and stunted, Katy gave her space to grow. She is a force in the halls of LCHS, but in a way that feels separate from her father’s legacy. I told you this once during graduation, Mrs. Cecil, but I fear it wasn’t enough. Thank you. For everything. When you look at your progeny, I hope we make you proud.