GLASGOW, Ky. — Sharon Mattingly is being recognized for her excellent service in the classroom next month as she joins the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame. 

What You Need To Know

  • Sharon Mattinly is being inducted into the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame

  • She has been a teacher for 37 years, 27 of those in Barren County

  • She says its an honor she never expected

  • The ceremony will take place Nov 19 on Western Kentucky Universities campus

 

Mattingly started her career as a substitute teacher in North Carolina, but after a heart-to-heart talk with a student, she decided teaching full time is where she needed to be. 

Mattingly said, “One of my students said, 'Mrs. Mattingly when you are our substitute we learn every time you are here we learn and I need you to teach me Spanish and I need you to get into college. If I don't I can't make my family's lives better' and I said OK. God I guess I will be a teacher.”

Since then she has taught Spanish at Barren County High School for 27 years and 37 total. She will be one of two teachers inducted into the Hall of Fame, an honor she never thought was possible. 

"To know that somebody thought enough of me to nominate me for this tells me that I’ve touched some lives," said Mattingly "That's incredible there are no words to express what it means to be in the Kentucky Teacher Hall of Fame."

One person who is not shocked at all is principal Amy Irwin who has worked with Mattingly for years. She said she is a staple in the Glasgow teaching community and has strong ties specifically to Barren County High School as well as an excellent teaching record. 

“There is something special about having a teacher that already has grown up in the community and knows the students and parents," said Irwin "She has that deep ingrained love for the students and teachers she serves.”

The ceremony will take place Nov 19 on Western Kentucky University campus.