Members of the 10th class of the Governor Louie B. Nunn Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame have been selected.

The three chosen by the statewide selection committee are Gloria K. Compton, Ronald Montgomery and Mattie Jo Smith. Members of the 2018 Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame will be inducted during a ceremony on Feb. 6 in Frankfort. The induction ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. EST in the Capitol Rotunda.

The Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame was established in 2000 through a generous gift from former governor, Louie B. Nunn. With his gift, Gov. Nunn hoped to recognize Kentuckians who have made significant contributions to the teaching profession. Selection is made from individuals, living or deceased, who have spent a significant portion of their professional career in Kentucky and have made noteworthy contributions to the lives of children and youth in the Commonwealth, ultimately leading to positive impacts throughout the state’s economy. Western Kentucky University was selected as the home of the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame because of its more than 100-year history in teacher education.

Gloria Compton, a native of Barbourville, earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Health and Physical Education from the University of Kentucky in 1961.

Compton spent 30 years (1962-1992) teaching health and physical education at Bryan Station Senior High School (now Bryan Station High School) in Lexington. During her tenure, she served as department chair for 17 years and athletic director. Jon Akers commented: “She used her caring personality plus ‘homespun’ humor to make her classroom inviting for all students…regardless of their personality, background, or changing mood.”

Compton served as BSSH cheerleading coach (1962-80) during which the varsity cheerleading team won two Sweet 16 championships (1972 and 1974). She started both the gymnastics and girls track and field programs at Bryan Station in 1962, and coached both until 1974.

Compton was the co-founder of Kentucky Girls Sports Association and the Bryan Station Alumni Association. She served as the Kentucky Association of Pep Organizations Sponsors (KAPOS) president, vice president, regional chairperson (17 years) and advisory board member for more than 30 years.

She is a past winner of the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Spirit Award and was the 2004 recipient of the University of Kentucky College of Education’s Teacher Who Made a Difference Award. Additionally, Compton is a 2008 Dawahares Kentucky High School Athletic Association (KHSAA) Hall of Fame inductee.

Former student Jack L. “Goose” Givens said: “She always had a smile and a word of encouragement to offer all of her students, and on many days we would not have been able to make it without her being in our lives.”