LEXINGTON, Ky. — Leslie Vaughn, a school psychologist at Fayette County Public Schools, has been recognized with a 2026 KAPS Best Practice Award for the Greater Fayette County Region by the Kentucky Association for Psychology in the Schools.

Vaughn, who works at Crawford Middle School and Martin Luther King Jr. Academy, received the honor during the organization's fall conference on September 14-15. The conference theme this year was "Unbridled Impact: Leading. Advocating. Supporting."

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Vaughn worked as a school psychologist in Texas before joining Fayette County Public Schools. The KAPS Best Practice Award recognizes school psychologists who demonstrate excellence and innovation in their work supporting student mental health, academic success, and overall well-being.

School psychologists play a critical role in Kentucky's public education system, addressing students' emotional, behavioral, and academic needs. Vaughn's award reflects her contributions to creating a supportive environment for students across two schools with diverse populations and needs.