KSTA Salutes 2 Fayette Educators

Two educators in Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS) brought home awards from the Kentucky Science Teachers Association’s statewide conference Nov. 7-8 in Richmond:

• KSTA Elementary Teacher of the Year: Adonya Boyle of Cardinal Valley Elementary
• KSTA Outstanding Principal of the Year: Cynthia Bruno of Rise STEM Academy for Girls

Boyle has served 23 years in FCPS – all at Cardinal Valley, where she is the Nature Studies teacher and team lead. She especially enjoys her students in the “Wow!” moments. 

“They see the beauty and magic in nature. They see a bee or butterfly getting pollen and nectar from a flower in the garden or a caterpillar eating on a leaf, they understand how the structures of the animal help it get its food,” Boyle said. “Anytime they get it – whatever that ‘it’ might be – and their faces light up, and it is amazing!”

Outside the classroom, Boyle is Cardinal Valley’s sustainability coordinator and social committee chair, as well as a member of the FCPS Sustainability Council and AFT KY120. Additionally, she oversees several after-school clubs including Science Explorers, which partners with the Living Arts & Science Center; the Engineering Club, which works with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at the University of Kentucky; Garden Team; and Recycle Team. 

“Science education is important to me because it is the driving force of all of our lives – the food we eat, the air we breathe, the water we drink. Science is what is going to answer tomorrow's problems with solutions – how we can all survive on this planet together,” Boyle said. “These students are going to be the adults who will come up with those solutions and solve problems with science. I hope I inspire them to put their hands in soil, grow something beautiful, and make the earth a better place for everyone.”  

At Rise, Bruno is in her second year at the helm. She has been with FCPS for 10 years and in education for 21 total. 

“One of my favorite parts of being the principal of an all-girls STEM school is getting to watch our scholars actively build, design, test, problem-solve, and create through their project-based learning units,” Bruno said. “They don’t have to wait until they are ‘grown up’ to make a difference. I get to see them using their voices, their creativity, and their engineering minds to solve real problems and make an impact in our community now. Watching their confidence grow when they realize that they are not just preparing to lead someday, but that they are already leading today, is truly the best part of my job.”

As for science, Bruno believes it teaches students how to understand the world, ask questions, and solve problems with confidence. It’s especially powerful in an all-girls STEM environment.

“Our scholars are growing up seeing themselves as scientists, engineers, and innovators right now, not someday in the distant future,” she said. “Science gives them the tools to test ideas, think critically, collaborate, and use evidence to make decisions. Most importantly, it shows them that their curiosity matters and their brilliance can shape their community. When we invest in science education for girls, we’re not just teaching content. We’re changing what they believe is possible for themselves.”