When local teacher Ron A. Skillern was named Kentucky teacher of the year on Wednesday, he felt surprised and humbled to be in “the company of giants.” 

Skillern, a government teacher at Bowling Green High School, was among a group of 24 Kentucky’s educators named 2017 Valvoline Teacher Achievement Award winners. But only Skillern rose above nine other semifinalists to be named both Kentucky teacher of the year and Kentucky high school teacher of the year by the Kentucky Department of Education and Valvoline.

“The 2017 Kentucky Teacher of the Year is Ron Skillern! Congrats! @BGHSPurplesNews @wkingbg @BGISDgaryfields @BGISD @Valvoline #KyTOY,” the Kentucky Department of Education tweeted during the ceremony in Frankfort. The day also included a luncheon and cash awards to the top teachers. Skillern will represent Kentucky on the national level.

Skillern has always loved school and wanted to become a teacher. 

“You can give back as much energy as you have,” he said after receiving the award. “You can give back, do everything you can to help folks.” 

Skillern started at Bowling Green High School in 1996 after teaching at Greenwood High School and Warren Central High School, starting at the latter in 1985. 

The nine semifinalists were judged by a panel of veteran educators, according to a news release naming the finalists. Applications had to include information on the nominees’ teaching approach, experiences, community involvement and letters of recommendation. 

The elementary, middle school and high school teachers of the year were chosen through classroom visits and personal interviews for each of the semifinalists. Judges used a culmination of those scores to name the Kentucky teacher of the year, who will go on to compete in a national competition, the release said. 

Throughout his career as a history and comparative government teacher, Skillern said he’s always tried to teach students the importance of staying informed and contributing to the nation’s democracy. 

But Skillern doesn’t take all the credit. He said the award represents success across the Bowling Green Independent School District excellence. 

“We have some outstanding work being done by teachers at the elementary level and at the junior high,” he said. 

— Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.