Recognizing Excellence, 2023-2024

KAGE Service & Advocacy Awards

These awards provide recognition of exceptional service and/or advocacy in support of educating Kentucky’s gifted and talented children and youth. These awards include The Michael Caudill Educator Award, which was established in 2005 in memory of Michael Caudill, superintendent of Madison County Schools and friend to gifted children.

The Michael Caudill Educator Award
Established in 2005 in memory of Michael Caudill, superintendent of Madison County Schools and friend to gifted children.

  • Nominee must be an administrator, counselor, teacher, or other professional in education.
  • Nominee has made significant positive contributions to gifted education in the school, district, and/or state, which has greatly impacted students and/or educators.
  • Nominee has a record of advocacy for gifted and talented children and youth.

Service and Advocacy Awards

  • Nominee has made significant positive contributions to gifted education in the school, district, community, and/or state, which has greatly impacted parents, students, and/or educators.
  • Nominee has a record of advocacy for gifted and talented children and youth.
  • Nominee can be a professional in education, a parent, a legislator, university staff or faculty, business leader, an alumni of gifted services in Kentucky, a KAGE chapter, or another entity.

Congratulations to Lydia Feld
Distinguished Student Award Recipient

Lydia Feld is a fifth grade student at Norton Commons in Louisville. She goes above and beyond to make sure she is utilizing her talents fully at all times. She is a not only a good student, but also a good citizen. She has participated in numerous service activities. A particularly notable one was organizing a diaper bank in her community so that struggling families would not have to go without.

Congratulations to Abigail Wheaton
 Advocacy and Service Award recipient

Abigail Wheaton has served as Gifted Coordinator for Union County Schools for four years. She is a dedicated educator and mentor, leading the teachers in Union County to be better informed and prepared. She was the driving force behind the formation of the Union County 8th Grade Academy. Her efforts have had a transformative impact on the lives of gifted students and the landscape of gifted education in Union County.

Nominations must include:

  • Name, home address, school/work address, phone numbers of nominee
  • Parent name, address, phone number. For Distinguished Student will also need the name and email for GT teacher.
  • Essay/paragraph
  • Four photos of nominee. Please include some of nominee going about the work for which he/she is nominated.


PRESENTATION OF AWARDS – The award recipients will be honored during the KAGE Annual Conference, February 26 – 27.

Recognizing Excellence, 2021-2024

Take a look at our 2021-2024 award videos below!

Last updated 09/19/2022