LEXINGTON, Ky. — Three Fayette County Public Schools employees have been recognized by the Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators for outstanding leadership and commitment to the profession, accepting their 2026 awards on Sept. 25 during the organization's annual conference in Lexington.

Lilly Woods Brown, a first grade teacher at Picadome Elementary, and Shelby Moore Hewett, a special education teacher also at Picadome, both received Outstanding Early Career Awards. Christy Cartner, a social studies teacher at Bryan Station High, was named Outstanding Mentor Teacher.

The Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators is a statewide professional organization devoted to promoting cooperation and understanding among groups involved in advancing teacher education across the Commonwealth.

Cartner's recognition comes as part of a particularly strong month for the Bryan Station educator. Earlier in September, she was also named the 2026 High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky State Council for the Social Studies.