OCS News

Buckner High School's Ignite Passion Award winner brings positivity and a spark of curiosity to everyone she meets.

Ruthie Parrott embodies the “No Excuses—Find a Way” mindset, approaching each day with purpose and truly believes in the great things students and teachers can achieve. She consistently seeks out opportunities for success, designing innovative, engaging strategies that meet students where they are and move them forward with confidence.

Through her work as an instructional coach, Ruthie empowers teachers to refine their practice, think creatively, and respond to student needs with intention and flexibility. Her support goes beyond guidance—she inspires a culture of growth, collaboration, and possibility. Classrooms become more dynamic, instruction becomes more meaningful, and students are given greater access to success because of her influence.

Ruthie’s impact is felt throughout the school community. She brings energy, encouragement, and a solution-oriented perspective that motivates others to push past challenges and strive for excellence. By championing both students and staff, she helps create an environment where enthusiasm for learning thrives and where everyone is encouraged to reach their fullest potential.

Cari Rairick truly embodies the spirit of the Ignite Passion Award through her dedication and the pride she takes in every aspect of her work at Crestwood Elementary. Serving as both office manager and registrar, she goes far beyond her role — welcoming families with warmth, guiding new students through enrollment, managing classroom coverage, coordinating fire drills, and ensuring students get home safely through late bus communication. Her ability to anticipate needs, solve problems with calm and grace, and keep daily operations running smoothly makes her an indispensable pillar of the Crestwood community. Quite simply, Crestwood would not be the same without her passion, commitment, and heart.

Mr. Jonathan Perri is North Oldham Middle School's recipient of the OCS Ignite Passion Award. Since joining the NOMS family in 2018, he has served hundreds of Mustangs as a math teacher who brings both rigor and positivity into his classroom every single day. Mr. Perri has been a steady leader at NOMS for years, but this year feels different and everyone can feel it. There is an energy he brings that signals he genuinely loves what he does, and students feel that love in return. It shows in the community he builds in his classroom, in the way students and families name him as a favorite year after year, and in the way he has poured into this school beyond his classroom walls.

This year alone, he has served as 8th grade team leader, sponsored both KYA and KUNA, and coordinated multiple field trips for our Mustangs. He even gives up his own lunch break — whether he's outside supervising students during a well-earned movement break or hosting a working lunch in his classroom to help students stay caught up and accountable. No matter the need, Mr. Perri shows up. He is a positive, all-in team player and the kind of educator who reminds us all why this work matters. Mr. Perri doesn't just teach math; he ignites a passion for learning that students will carry long after they leave these halls.

Jessica Guinn is the Visual Arts Director at the Oldham County Schools Arts Center, where she oversees arts programming both on-site and through satellite classes offered across the county in our schools. In addition, she teaches ceramics courses for children and adults, leads the Side-by-Side art program for students with disabilities, and facilitates summer visual arts camps. As a professional artist, Jessica specializes in wheel throwing and hand-building, creating both sculptural and functional stoneware pottery. Her work is known for its distinctive glaze techniques and designs and has been featured in numerous regional art festivals and exhibits. 

As an educator Jessica founded the Visual Art Focus Area for the Arts Center’s CAPAA program where students experience rigorous instruction, professional exhibition opportunities, mentorship, and leadership roles–preparing students to succeed in higher education and contribute meaningfully to the creative industries and cultural life of their communities. Beyond studio time, her CAPAA students are gaining valuable leadership experience in our community. CAPAA students have been placed in teaching roles at the Arts Center, helping to guide and mentor younger artists in youth classes, all while building their own confidence, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of the creative process. 

Jessica’s students have gone on to pursue degrees in studio art at UofL, animation at East Tennessee State, interior design at the University of Cincinnati, production design at UK, and art education at BYU, to name a few. Many of her students have also participated in the Governor’s School for the Arts and the Governor’s Scholars Program. Jessica Guinn is a visionary educator who inspires her students to reach their full artistic potential. She truly ignites passion for the arts in all of her students, her colleagues, and in our Oldham community.

Since joining Oldham County Preschool in 2019, Carmen Rodriguez has been a consistent source of enthusiasm, dedication, and heart within Oldham County Preschool. 

Carmen approaches each day with energy, positivity, and a genuine love for young learners. Her excitement is contagious; students are drawn to her warmth and encouragement, and she always has an uplifting word to share with her colleagues. She brings joy to both students and staff fortunate enough to work with her. She models what it means to care deeply about children’s growth — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Her ability to ignite enthusiasm in students is especially evident in the way she engages them in learning. She encourages persistence and helps children see themselves as capable learners. Whether she is supporting early literacy, guiding a student through a challenging task, or helping a child regulate big emotions, she does so with patience and belief in each child’s potential. Students respond to her energy with increased confidence and excitement for learning.

Beyond her work with students, Carmen contributes to a positive and motivating atmosphere among staff and families. She is dependable, encouraging, and always willing to step in where needed. She understands that her work has a lasting impact, and she consistently chooses to invest fully in the children and colleagues around her.

Recipients of the Ignite Passion Award are catalysts for positive change. Carmen embodies this description. She ignites a love for learning in our Peacocks and strengthens the culture of our preschool community every single day.

SOHS proudly selects Bobbie Stoess for the Ignite Passion Award. Bobbie consistently builds meaningful connections between SOHS and the surrounding community, modeling how local leaders can support students and schools. As Club Service Chair of the South Oldham Rotary, she helps the club recognize outstanding SOHS students each month and supports student futures through scholarships.

Together with the Rotary, Bobbie helped organize the collection of more than 4,000 canned goods for the Barry Stoess Memorial Christmas Food Basket Program. She also leads Mission House, which operates a food pantry for families in need, and works tirelessly to connect our school with families who require support so students can access essential resources.

Bobbie understands that academic success depends on students’ needs being met both at home and at school; she approaches this work with compassion, determination, and humility—never seeking recognition while inspiring many others in the community to get involved.

Camden Station's Andie Marx is truly one of a kind. She is incredibly knowledgeable, endlessly kind, and consistently puts students at the center of everything she does. Her passion for teaching is evident in the positive, joyful learning environment she creates each day.

Ms. Marx’s classroom is full of “Meerkats,” a place where learning is engaging, meaningful, and fun. Her creative and hands-on teaching approaches help students connect their learning to the real world, while her energy and sense of humor—often showcased through her perfectly witty shirts for lessons and celebrations—make students excited to come to school. Students in her classroom explore pumpkins decomposing in fall, the position of the sun and earth through hands-on modeling and are often met with witty responses about what Meerkats would do. Laughter, curiosity, and learning go hand in hand in her classroom.

One of Ms. Marx’s greatest strengths is her ability to truly see and celebrate students for who they are. She builds strong relationships and helps every child feel valued, confident, and supported. Because of this, students are more willing to take academic risks and develop a genuine love for learning.

Ms. Marx also serves as a positive role model and supportive colleague. She willingly collaborates, shares ideas, and continues to grow professionally in order to better serve students and support her team through her own constant learning.

Ms. Andie Marx embodies the spirit of the Ignite Passion Award. Through her energy, humor, and heart, she inspires students and staff alike and has a lasting, positive impact on Camden Station Elementary and the Oldham County Schools community.

After retirement, Shallen Rich, Centerfield's exceptional part-time daycare director, was missed greatly. Mrs. Shallen selflessly returned to lead the enrichment center part-time, ensuring its continued success through steady leadership, dedication, planning prowess, business savvy and meticulous adherence to all daycare regulations.

Mrs. Shallen seeks out grant opportunities that bring innovative resources and fresh learning experiences to our youngest students. This year, the grant she earned doubled the school's STEAM resources, brought a math fact fluency software program and initiated work with the Leader in Me After-school curriculum to continue the mission to inspire learners, empower leaders and foster kind citizens at Cub Club.

In addition to her impact at Centerfield, Mrs. Shallen serves as a trusted mentor and district-wide resource for her colleagues, generously sharing her expertise and passion for childcare whenever it's needed.

Her presence strengthens not only the daycare but the entire school community, where she actively supports events, initiatives, and partnerships. Since acquiring a Family Resource Center, Mrs. Shallen and Cub Club Staff have partnered together to host a wide variety of enrichment experiences - everything from dance fitness classes to traveling museums to soybean farming.

Mrs. Shallen preserves and celebrates Centerfield's legacy, fostering pride and connection among staff and families. Through her enthusiasm, leadership, and commitment to excellence, she truly ignites passion in others and transforms the culture of our after-school community.