Plaques and certificates of appointments commemorating Newton Thomas journey into Kentucky Department of Educations history books dot his Frankfort apartment. Photo by Margo Rivers

FRANKFORT Newton Thomas doesnt believe in self-promotion. Though plaques and certificates of appointment commemorating his journey into the state Department of Educations history books dot the hallways of his two-bedroom Frankfort apartment, Thomas is quick to play down his accomplishments. I try to be humble, said Thomas, who became Kentuckys first black teacher when Caverna Independent Schools became integrated in 1957. In fact, I didnt put any of the awards on the wall. My wife, Ella, did. I had them in a folder. When students would praise him for positively influencing them, Thomas said his reply was, It was you who allowed me to experiment and improve my teaching. It was this humility, coupled with kindheartedness, that won the 89-year-old Georgetown native respect from his employers, co-workers and students during his 11 1/2 years at Caverna High School. He was a pleasant, short, baldheaded guy who kept everybody interested in his classes, said Dr. John Tapp, a 1958 graduate of Caverna High School who has a family practice in Bowling Green. He didnt have to command anyones respect because he was just being the good person. He gave students respect, and they, in turn, gave him respect. Teaching wasnt Thomas first love that was medicine but Kentucky State Industrial College didnt offer specific majors like biology and chemistry in 1931, Thomas said. They just had general science, Thomas said. But I had enough hours to teach biology, mathematics and chemistry. Thomas graduated from KSIC in 1935 but couldnt find a job in his field. On the advice of school regent Anita Field, he took a job at Fields laundromat in Louisville until he was offered a principalship at Horse Cave Colored High School. My old high school coach in Georgetown was the principal at Horse Cave Colored High School, Thomas said. He was leaving to be an education adviser for the Civilian Conservation Corps and he recommended me for the job. Shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that Caverna Independent could remain a school district, Thomas was hired as a physics, chemistry and biology teacher, Thomas said. Despite the tumultuous times, Thomas said he didnt experience racial strife in the community because many parents already knew of Thomas reputation as a fair person. They had learned from their children and his principalship at Horse Cave Colored High School. It got to the point that I was just like everyone else, Thomas said. When I started working at Caverna, I asked the students how they felt about having a black teacher. They said they didnt care as long as the teacher was qualified and fair. During his years at Caverna, he won Teacher of the Year honors three years in a row and was about to win his fourth when he left in 1959 to take a Department of Education job, he said. Besides countless district awards, Thomas received the states Lincoln Key and a brief in Jet magazine for his dedication to the education field. Thomas said several writers have wanted to do a book on his life, but Thomas wouldnt have it. I said no, he said. If people cant see how Ive lived my life in person, then they wont be able to do it in book.