2024 Educator Idol of the Year

By Kim Harwood

Chamber of Commerce

 

The Edmonton Metcalfe County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Linda Branstetter as the recipient of the 17th Annual Metcalfe County Educator Idol of the Year Award.

Linda Branstetter graduated from Glasgow High School and from Kentucky Wesleyan College. Linda started her teaching career at Austin Tracy in the Barren County School District. Linda then moved on to Summer Shade Elementary where she taught until Summer Shade, North Metcalfe, and Edmonton consolidated. Linda finished her teaching career in Edmonton and taught for a total of thirty-five years.

Linda’s special guests at the banquet were her husband, Steve, and son, Bart. It was the perfect evening for the Branstetter family, not only was Linda honored at the banquet but her grandson, Colton Huffman was honored as a Senior Celebrity with his special guests, Chris and Amber Branstetter Huffman in attendance.

This year marks the seventeenth year a retired educator has been honored with this distinguished award.

Linda Branstetter was honored at the Senior Celebrity Banquet on April 17th, and introduced by former student, and current educator Robin McMurtrey.

Robin McMurtrey has had the privilege of knowing Mrs. Linda her entire life. Her first experience was working with her in 4-H. Linda was a constant in the 4-H program from cattle shows, talent shows, working with fairs, projects, and any areas in between. Linda was recently inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. Regardless of the amount of time it required, Linda spent hours of her time volunteering to help so many youths, and she continues to do so.

Linda Branstetter and Kay Harbison were active with the KJHS (Kentucky Junior Historical Society) they were the state’s top leaders for the club. Robin stated she owed most of her history love and knowledge to them. Linda would search for ways to allow experiences the students would never have been able to encounter. To this day, when people discuss KJHS, Linda Branstetter’s name is always mentioned.

Robin stated in addition to all the extracurricular activities Mrs. Linda led, she admired her most for her expertise in the classroom. Students at Summer Shade Elementary could not wait to get to the 7^th grade to be in her class. Linda’s class was described as warm and welcoming, engaging, and safe, and the amount of knowledge she shared was priceless.

Even after retirement Linda continues to work with youth and keeps up with many of her former students. Linda is known for sending her former students’ messages and mail as encouragement and acknowledgment.

In closing Robin McMurtrey stated, “What a blessing she has been to so many.”

Robin McMurtrey’s introduction left no doubt in the mind of anyone present that Linda Branstetter was born to teach and inspire each student who was fortunate enough to enter the doors of her classroom.

Linda thanked Robin for the introduction and expressed her love for teaching. Mrs. Branstetter stated she was honored to be the recipient of this year’s Educator Idol Award.

Linda Branstetter has certainly left her footprint on the students in the Metcalfe County School System. Linda joins the elite group of Educator Idols who have influenced the lives of countless students during their teaching careers.

Congratulations to the 2024 Educator Idol of the Year, Linda Branstetter!