Caitlin Buckley, a teacher at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville, Kentucky, has been honored with a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award, and she is one of 24 finalists for her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award. Photo Credit: Kentucky Department of Education

There are many talented educators working with our nation’s special education students. One of these is Caitlin Buckley, who teaches at the Kentucky School for the Deaf in Danville. She has recently been honored by the Kentucky State Department of Education as a 2023 Teacher Achievement Award winner. She is also one 24 finalists for her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year award.

Caitlin attended Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where she earned a dual certification in middle grade English and Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) Education. She later earned her Master’s degree in Literacy, also from EKU. She learned ASL in 2015, but picked up more when she did her practicum and student teaching.

The honored educator says she never expected to go into deaf education. Instead, she says, the decision was a happy accident. Caitlin attended Eastern Kentucky University, which is the only college in Kentucky with a DHH teacher program. After changing her major five times, she settled on a career in deaf education because she wanted to make a difference in the lives of others.

Caitlin’s career as an educator has spanned four years. She teaches courses in literature and composition with English/Language Arts (ELA) and reading development to students in grades 6-8. In her classroom, she conducts instruction using American Sign Language (ASL). In addition to teaching her courses, Caitlin serves her school as a class sponsor, helps develop and deliver professional development, and works alongside colleagues to combat language deprivation.

To learn more about Caitlin Buckley, click on this link to a story about her published by the Advocate-Messenger.