Rachel Genakos, Class of 2006

For three years in a row, a Lindsey Wilson education graduate received the Professional Development Award from the Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators. Rachel Genakos - who teaches seventh grade language arts at Adair County Middle School - received the 2006 award.  The award is given annually to the outstanding education graduate from colleges and universities in Kentucky. Rachel followed 2005's recipient, LWC graduate Kris Schuhmann, who teaches at Semple Elementary School in Louisville, and 2004's recipient Sarah Collier Culver, who teaches at Centerfield Elementary School in Crestwood. Overall, it's the fourth time a Lindsey Wilson education graduate has earned the award, a testament to our Education Division's strength.

Michael Ford, Class of 1997 

Michael Ford has advice for anyone contemplating a career in education: Make sure you're passionate about doing it.

"If your heart's not in teaching, then don't do it just for a job," said Ford, a 1997 Lindsey Wilson College graduate.

And Ford puts a lot of his heart into his job with the Russell County (Ky.) Schools. As exceptional children program consultant for the 3,000-student system, Ford works with the county's six schools. Russell County has about 500 special education students, and Ford helps the schools meet those students' needs.

"Attending that high school graduation each spring and seeing students graduate is what it's all about for me," said Ford, a 1993 Russell County High School graduate.

Ford always knew he wanted to be a teacher, but he didn't discover his passion for special education until after he earned a master's degree in education.

"You develop a special relationship with parents in special education," he said. "I don't know how to explain it, except it was where I needed to be."

Ford highly recommends Lindsey Wilson's education program to anyone contemplating a career in education.

Ford comes in contact regularly with recent LWC education graduates, and he says many of them are well-prepared for the classroom

"The program is not a walk in the park, but if you want to be a teacher, it's the place to be," he said. "It's a demanding program, but it makes you a better teacher and it prepares you to be in the classroom."

Cornelius Faulkner, Class of 1995

OCCUPATION: Assistant Superintendent of Caverna (Ky.) Independent School System

 "You can't find an education program that does a better job preparing you for the classroom than the one at Lindsey Wilson."