Educator Idol is Kaye Hope
2026 Educator Idol – Kaye Janes Hope Photo | Kim Harwood
By Kim Harwood
Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce
Kaye Janes Hope was named 2026 Educator Idol at the 29th Annual Senior Celebrity Banquet.
Kaye is a lifelong resident of Metcalfe County. Her parents were Tom B. and Virginia Janes.
Mrs. Virginia Janes, Kaye’s mom, was an Educator in the Metcalfe County School System and the 2002 recipient of the Jim C. Coleman Community Service Award. Kaye is married to Rick Hope, and they have three daughters, Page, Jane, and Kacy.
Kaye graduated from Metcalfe County High School in 1970 and then attended Georgetown College, University of Kentucky, and graduated from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Elementary Education and later obtained her master’s degree from WKU. She started as a substitute and was hired full-time in the fall of 1974 to teach fourth grade at Summer Shade Elementary. Kaye taught for twenty years at Summer Shade. She was very active in activities and clubs, including sports, 4-H, Fall Festivals, and numerous community events. When the county consolidated, Kaye taught eighth grade at the middle school. After leaving middle school, Kaye took a job with Vocational Rehabilitation as a vocational counselor and retired in 2001.
During Kaye’s years in the classroom, she encouraged her students to excel in all subjects, to respect their teachers and peers, and stressed the importance of being a good citizen.
She was teaching when the gas explosion happened in Beaumont, KY. The community lost friends and family, and Summer Shade lost a student. Kaye and her fellow staff members were available to help those grieving. Kaye Hope cared deeply about the students as well as every person who worked for the school in Summer Shade; they were family.
Kaye continues to contribute to the community in many ways. She is dedicated to her church, always a Hornet fan, member of the Retired Teachers Association, supports local charities and fundraisers, a die-hard UK fan, faithful friend, devoted family member, and loving grandmother.
Kaye was introduced by former student, Martha Bragg, and her guests at the Senior Celebrity Banquet were her husband and sister-in-law, Bonnie Froggett.
Kaye J. Hope, a well-deserved recipient of the 2026 Educator Idol Award, congratulations.
