2025 Educator Idol
By Kim Harwood
Chamber Executive Director
Bonnie Shaw named the 18th annual Educator Idol for 2025.
Martha Shive Bragg, former student, and friend introduced Bonnie Shaw as the Educator Idol of the Year.
Martha described Ms. Bonnie as a wonderful teacher who interacted with the students, and no child lacked attention in her class. Martha also teaches Sunday School at Missionary Mound with Ms. Bonnie who loves being around the children and teaching them.
Ms. Shaw was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky, and was one of six children. Her family moved to Summer Shade when she was six years old, and she attended Summer Shade Elementary from first grade through eighth grade. Bonnie is blessed with two sons, Chad and wife Kelly, and Judd and wife Sara, and six wonderful grandchildren.
Bonnie graduated from Summer Shade Elementary in 1959, Metcalfe County High School in 1963, Campbellsville College in 1967 with a BA degree, and earned her MA degree from Western Kentucky University. Bonnie was the first-grade teacher for her sons, who both graduated from Summer Shade Elementary and Metcalfe County High School.
In 1967, Ms. Shaw took a teaching position at Summer Shade Elementary. She worked for the Metcalfe County School System at Summer Shade for thirty-four years, teaching first grade the last twenty-six.
Ms. Shaw not only taught school, but was a babysitter for years, to say she loves children would be an understatement. Ms. Bonnie does a lot of volunteer work, she volunteered at the hospital gift shop, served as Secretary for the Metcalfe County Retired Teachers and Branstetter Park Committee, Treasurer for 7up Homemakers, Cultural Arts Chairperson for Extension Homemakers, and has taught Sunday School for sixty-five years.
Bonnie is a chamber member and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and crafting.
Bonnie Shaw, better known as Ms. Bonnie, dedicated her career to the students who came through the doors of Summer Shade Elementary, so it seems most appropriate to honor her as this year’s Educator Idol.
