BSMS Produces a Teacher Achievement Award Winner

Nine outstanding educators are recipients of the 2027 Kentucky Teacher Achievement Awards, including Trino Grau of Bryan Station Middle School. During a Sept. 9 ceremony in Frankfort, the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) will name the winners of the elementary, middle, and high school divisions. And from those three finalists, one will be selected as the state’s Teacher of the Year. 

Grau, who is from Rafal (Alicante), Spain, teaches sixth-grade science in the Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program at Bryan Station. He first served there from 2011 to 2014, and returned for a second chapter starting in 2024. 

“My favorite part of the job is helping students discover their unique strengths and watching them realize their true potential,” he said. “I love creating hands-on, innovative learning experiences where students shift from just memorizing content to seeing themselves as capable, curious, and confident learners.”

Grau has a master’s degree in Education and a master’s in Chemistry from the Universidad de Alicante, Spain; as well as a master’s in International Education & Bilingualism and a Ph.D. in Education (specialization in Makerspaces & Educational Innovation) from the Universidad Camilo José Cela, Madrid, Spain. He previously taught in Madrid, Orihuela, and Murcia. Additionally, Grau is an online examiner for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program.

KDE received 600 teacher nominations this year. They were interviewed and judged based on their teaching philosophies, teaching experiences, and involvement in their communities. Judges also considered letters of recommendation.