The Kentucky Science Teachers Association (KSTA) has selected Abbie Guskey, the STEM lab instructor at Sandersville Elementary, as the Commonwealth’s 2018 Outstanding Elementary Science Teacher. She received the award during the KSTA state conference, which ran Nov. 8-10 in Lexington.   

“I continuously strive to create a classroom climate of rigor, innovation, creativity, and empathy,” Guskey said. “First and foremost, my students are welcome, their voices are heard and respected, and they know that they can achieve at high levels in all areas of their life if they apply themselves. I work very hard to create experiences and investigations that are authentic and allow students to see and develop solutions for real-world problems.” 

A native of Fayette County, Guskey earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky. She also has a master’s in Educational Leadership with an endorsement in Instructional Technology Integration. Guskey has taught at Sandersville for seven years; she previously was curriculum and instructional coach at Northern Elementary. Her interests include community outreach, STEAM education networking, Kagan Cooperative Learning, environmental education, and animal rescue and adoption. Guskey is also a runner in training for her first full marathon. 

“If our students leave Sandersville Elementary more inquisitive about the sciences than when they came to us, then I consider it a job well done knowing that I have held a role in developing a passion for lifetime learning and investigation,” she said.