Kentucky

2024 Kentucky World Language Association Teacher of the Year advances to nationals

Published

1 year ago

April 18, 2025

2024 Kentucky World Language Association Teacher of the Year advances to nationals

Stephanie Bellot-Donaldson, center, a Spanish teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School (Jefferson County), stands with Nadine Jacobsen-McLean, left, a Spanish teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School, and M. Beck Sexton, a Spanish teacher at Eastern High School (Jefferson County) and Kentucky World Language Association president. Photo courtesy Kentucky World Language Association

(NASHVILLE) – Stephanie Bellot-Donaldson, a Spanish Literacy teacher at Hawthorne Elementary School (Jefferson County) and 2024 Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA) Outstanding Teacher of the Year, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) regional Teacher of the Year award. She received the award on March 21 at the SCOLT Conference in Nashville.

This award is intended to elevate the status and the public profile of the language profession at the state, regional and national levels by creating opportunities to recognize accomplished members of the world languages profession. It also recognizes best practices and excellence in the teaching and learning of world languages.

Bellot-Donaldson is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Literacy. She earned her master’s degree in education at Dominican University in River Forest, Ill., and her bachelor’s degree at the University of Kentucky. She teaches Spanish immersion classes at all levels in Hawthorne Elementary School and serves as an elected representative in the school-based decision making (SBDM) council.

Bellot-Donaldson has been integral in developing the Spanish curriculum at Hawthorne Elementary School, including creating accessible resources, lessons and assessments so that all of the diverse learners in her classroom can be successful. She is a tireless advocate for her multilingual students and has worked with teachers who specialize in addressing dyslexia to ensure that her curriculum develops literacy and language skills for all students, even the students who need the most support.

As the new 2025 SCOLT regional Teacher of the Year, she now advances to the national level where she will compete for the National World Languages Teacher of the Year Award in November, given by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL).

The Southern Conference on Language Teaching (SCOLT) is a professional organization whose mission is to promote universal world language education supported by the community, valued by political and business leaders, encouraged by parents and peers, and taught by exemplary instructors.

The Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA) has endeavored to support, celebrate and highlight excellence in teaching world languages in Kentucky schools. Bellot-Donaldson is the latest example of what is already known about education in Kentucky; we have the tools and the talent to do great things and to lead our students to achieve success at high levels!

Alfonso De Torres Núñez serves as chair of the Kentucky World Language Association’s awards committee.

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Kentucky

Saturated soil raises flooding risk across Kentucky after recent heavy rain

Published

5 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

Saturated soil raises flooding risk across Kentucky after recent heavy rain

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Recent heavy rainfall has left soil across the state completely soaked, contributing to localized flooding in some areas.

When rain falls, some water soaks into the ground through a process called percolation.

Soil can only hold a limited amount of water. Once the small air spaces within the soil fill with water, the ground becomes saturated and additional rainfall has nowhere to go.

Soil type plays a role in how quickly water drains.

Much of Kentucky has clay-heavy soil, which is made up of very small, flat particles packed tightly together.

That composition makes it harder for water to move through. In clay soil, water may drain at a rate of only 0.02 to 0.17 inches per hour.

When rainfall comes down faster than the ground can absorb it and water cannot drain into a stream or storm drain quickly enough, it begins to build up.

That buildup is what leads to localized flooding.

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Kentucky

Cyclosporiasis spreads across Kentucky

Published

17 hours ago

July 16, 2026

Press Room

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WBKO) – Cyclosporiasis is a microscopic parasite that can contaminate food and water — is making people sick across several states, including Kentucky.

Dr. Patricia Tellez-Watson said, the illness is caused by Cyclospora cayetanensis and spreads when someone ingests contaminated food or water. “It is an intestinal infection caused by this water-borne, food-borne microscopic parasite,” she said.

Symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Tellez-Watson said, cases are often sporadic, but outbreaks can happen — especially during hot, wet months, when the parasite can survive in the environment long enough to become infectious.

Health experts recommend taking extra precautions with food and water. Washing hands and thoroughly rinsing produce before eating or cooking can reduce risk.

Watson also urged people to be cautious with fresh produce, particularly pre-packaged items, and to consider using bottled water.

Officials have confirmed cases in Bowling Green, though it’s unclear how many.

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Kentucky

Drafted by Reds, Matt Ponatoski enrolls at University of Kentucky

Published

1 day ago

July 15, 2026

Press Room

Drafted by Reds, Matt Ponatoski enrolls at University of Kentucky

Moeller two-sport star Matt Ponatoski had a decision to make after being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds.
Ponatoski chose to enroll at Kentucky where he could play both baseball and football.

Dual-sport star and Moeller alum Matt Ponatoski’s final decision still awaits, but signs are pointing towards Lexington, KY.

After committing to the University of Kentucky as both a quarterback and pitcher, Ponatoski was selected in the 18th round (No. 542 overall) of the 2026 MLB Draft by the hometown Cincinnati Reds. While Ponatoski was ranked No. 208 on the MLB’s draft board and expected to be selected higher, doubts around whether he intended to go pro this year caused his stock to fall.

Ponatoksi has until the MLB’s signing deadline on July 27 to make a final decision, but the Moeller product has seemingly signaled his intention to stick with the University of Kentucky. He enrolled at the University of Kentucky on Wednesday, July 15, per a Kentucky Sports Radio report, indicating he will join the Wildcats football team in the fall.

The Man of Moeller was just the third player in the history of the Gatorade Player of the Year award to win for two different sports in the same season. Doing so in his junior year, he joined Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss and National Baseball Hall of Fame catcher Joe Mauer.

For Wildcats football, Ponatoski would come in as a four-star quarterback prospect and helped give new head coach Will Stein a top-25 recruiting class in the nation. He threw just one interception in his senior season for the Moeller Crusaders, completing 66% of his passes for 2,395 yards and 28 touchdowns.

For Kentucky baseball, Ponatoski would join up with fellow freshman and former Louisville Trinity pitcher Grayson Willoughby, who won Kentucky Mr. Baseball and withdrew his name from the draft. Willoughby, a top-rated pitching prospect, felt MLB teams were attempting to low-ball him and thus chose to stick with the Wildcats. Ponatoski is fresh from a season leading Moeller to the state championship game, recording a 1.37 ERA on the year.

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