Bowling Green Independent educator Emily Lehman wins prestigious 2024 Robinson Award

FRANKFORT, KY – At a recent Kentucky Board of Education meeting, a Bowling Green Independent teacher was presented with the 2024 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education. The award recipient was Emily Lehman, a esteemed 5th-grade educator from W.R. McNeill Elementary.

The Robinson Award is presented annually to a Kentuckian or Kentucky organization that shows outstanding efforts in promoting and contributing to educational diversity and equity. The award is given to those who have made successful strides in closing racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps, or who have significantly improved student learning or measured outcomes among students of color or low-income students.

Lehman’s Reaction

Lehman expressed that she was both “grateful and humbled” to be the recipient of the 2024 Robinson Award, seeing it as an acknowledgment of collective effort rather than individual triumph.

“I accept it not only for myself, but for all who have worked alongside me in this important endeavor,” Lehman stated. “Working alongside dedicated parents to strengthen connections to math standards, and collaborating with dedicated community members to provide mentorship to my students has been an honor.”

Interim Commissioner of Education, Robin Fields Kinney, praised Lehman for her commitment to equity in education and for pioneering new programs that have significantly influenced her students.

Colleague Praise and Award Criteria

Lehman’s nominator, Sarah Wilder, described Lehman as someone who sees education not just as a line of work, but as a passion. She credited Lehman’s dogged effort in unveiling and addressing inequities, leading to reform and innovative new programs as reasons for her deserved recognition.

Notably, Lehman is part of the Kentucky Center for Mathematics and the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics, where she consistently collaborates with academics and leads her mathematics team in academic discussions catering to the global issue of prejudice and its impact on the American education system.

Lehman’s Innovative Program – Mathletes

Lehman’s innovations are not limited to discussion and implementing complex teaching methods; she also conceptualized ‘Mathletes’, a three-level initiative dedicated to supporting and celebrating mathematics among Black families in W.R. McNeill Elementary. The three levels include Family Game Nights, small group team meets with community mentors, and 4th and 5th grade Mathletes who celebrate Black STEM contributors.

The primary goal of the initiative is to transform student attitudes towards mathematics, something that was reported by parents as being heavily influenced by the program.

Lehman’s Legacy

“Emily Lehman’s programs present an impactful example of what our education system should strive for – embracing diversity and fostering equity. Her innovative approach is successfully bringing math closer to students, and we look forward to seeing more educators follow in her footsteps.” said Interim Commissioner of Education, Robin Fields Kinney.

The Robinson Award commemorates Samuel Robinson, a significant figure in Kentucky’s education field and an advocate for diversity and equity in public education. Emily Lehman’s efforts mirror Samuel Robinson’s values, a testament to her deserving nature of the prestigious award.