LEXINGTON, Ky. — Katherine Blackard, a family and consumer sciences teacher at Henry Clay High School, has been recognized with the 2026 Regional Impact Award from the Kentucky Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences, according to Fayette County Public Schools. She received the honor July 23 during the Kentucky Association of Career and Technical Education's summer conference in Louisville.

Blackard joined Fayette County Public Schools in 2019 and is in her second year at Henry Clay. She teaches Advanced Foods & Nutrition and Foods & Nutrition for the 2026-27 school year. Beyond her classroom duties, Blackard serves as adviser to the school's Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America club and is a member of Henry Clay's Climate and Culture Committee.

"I love seeing the light-bulb moment when students connect theory with hands-on learning experiences," Blackard said in a statement.

Blackard holds a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Sciences Education with a nutrition minor from Eastern Kentucky University and a master's of arts in teaching in Special Education with a focus in Learning Behavior Disorders from the University of the Cumberlands. She also obtained a Teaching English as a Second Language endorsement through EKU and a master's in Teacher Leadership with a career and technical education focus from Murray State University. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in P20 Community Leadership.

Before joining Henry Clay, Blackard taught at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School and Bourbon County High School. Fayette County Public Schools is part of Region 15 of the Kentucky Association of Teachers of Family and Consumer Sciences.