LEXINGTON, Ky. — Two employees of Fayette County Public Schools were recognized with 2026 awards from the Kentucky World Language Association (KWLA), which presented the honors during its Oct. 9-10 state conference in Louisville, according to a district announcement.

Jennifer Kennedy, a Spanish teacher at Tates Creek Middle School, received the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award from the Kentucky chapter of the National Network for Early Language Learning. The award recognizes educators who teach kindergarten through eighth grade. Kennedy was also a nominee for KWLA Teacher of the Year.

Matthew Spottswood, principal of Maxwell Spanish Immersion Magnet Elementary School, received the Outstanding Administrator Award.

Kennedy said she enjoys seeing students apply their Spanish in creative ways. She described projects at Tates Creek in which students designed an information page for Spanish-speaking families, wrote children’s books to share with elementary students, and designed sustainable neighborhoods. “I love to see students using the language for real-world purposes,” she said.

Kennedy said that when students use a second language for authentic purposes, such as solving real problems, connecting with others and sharing ideas, they learn that their voice matters in their school, their neighborhood and the wider world.

Spottswood said learning another language is central to developing a global perspective in education. “When we embrace this approach to teaching and learning, we foster students who are more empathetic, resilient, critical thinkers with real grit,” he said.

Spottswood said he values his time with students in classrooms, the lunchroom and at recess. He said the school’s goal is to create a world-class education marked by vibrant learning experiences.

The district’s announcement did not detail the selection criteria for the awards or the number of nominees in each category.