Contact: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Friday, February 11, 2011

The Kentucky Society for Technology in Education has named Michelle Lee of Russell Cave Elementary its 2011 Outstanding Teacher of the Year.

This KySTE award recognizes a teacher who has demonstrated outstanding achievement and leadership in implementing technology to improve education. Lee will receive the honor March 2 at the state conference in Louisville.

“Technology allows me to create experiences and opportunities for my students that they would otherwise not have. I discovered that technology not only closes the achievement gap, but in essence, it levels the playing field for all children,” Lee explained. “Today our students use technology in every aspect of their lives so I have to ask myself, why not use technology to ensure that all students experience academic success in my classroom?”

Elementary education is a second career for Lee, who has been in the school system here only six years. This is her first year at Russell Cave, where she teaches fourth grade and helps advise kids in the Student Technology Leadership Program.

Lee, who moved to Lexington in the mid-1970s, also enjoys reading, gardening and walking the beaches of South Carolina.