Hart County Teacher Recognized
Sonya Carter, who teaches at Memorial Elementary School, was recently recognized for 26 years of service.
Katrina England
Reporter, Hart County News-Herald
Sonya Carter has dedicated 26 years of service as a special education teacher, most recently within the Hart County School System.
Due to the pandemic, last year’s conference for the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children was canceled. However, this year, Carter was honored with a 25 Year certificate and a pin for her work with children and youth with disabilities.
The Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children was organized in 1945, in the advocacy of and to improve the educational outcomes for children with exceptionalities in Kentucky.
Carter began her career in 1995 in Hardin County, before moving to the Caverna School System, where she taught for 8 ½ years. In 2004, she was Caverna’s Teacher of the Year. In January 2006, she transferred to Memorial, where she continues to teach today.
“Sonya is a teacher who truly cares about kids,” said Principal Allen Poynter. “She has a love for her students and she takes their achievement to heart. She works hard to ensure that her students are successful not only in school but that they are prepared for life.”
Throughout her years of teaching, Carter has been a cheerleading coach, a bitty ball basketball coordinator, and an FCA/SWAT (Students with a Testimony) team sponsor.
“I have known Sonya since our college days beginning in 1985,” said fellow teacher Cindy Scott. “She is an extraordinary person and teacher. Some teachers spew content with no regard for the students. Sonya is not one of those teachers. She builds relationships and inspires the students to want to learn… Congratulations Sonya on being recognized for your 25 years of inspiring, loving, and educating young people.”
Carter has remained in contact with many of the students she inspired throughout the years.
“All I know for sure is that God called me to work with students with disabilities. I am blessed by my students.”
