Dr. Elaine Farris received the Power of One Award from the Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA) at a special ceremony July 19.

This award honors an influential and inspirational role model whose willingness to affect important and meaningful change has made an impact on Kentucky schools, districts, and KASA.

“Elaine has demonstrated an exemplary record of leadership and is clearly one whose professional accomplishments were groundbreaking and worthy of the historical importance attached to them,” said KASA Executive Director Dr. Rhonda Caldwell. “What this person achieved has been vital to the opening of career advancement opportunities for educators of all races and backgrounds in the commonwealth.”

Farris began her career as a teacher in Clark County, where she was also an assistant principal, and principal. In Shelby County, on June 22, 2004, she became the first black school superintendent in Kentucky.

She led the district with distinction and as a result of her success, in 2007 she was named deputy commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Education. In 2009, she returned to the district level as superintendent of Clark County Schools.

Following her retirement in 2013, Farris served as an education policy advisor for the Kentucky House of Representatives. Currently she is the CEO of 4.0 Education Consulting and Advocacy Services and serves as chair of the Kentucky State University Board of Trustees.

KASA’s Leadership Awards Program is offered in partnership with American Fidelity Assurance Company.

The Kentucky Association of School Administrators is the largest school administrators’ group in Kentucky, representing more than 3,100 education leaders from across the commonwealth. Formed in 1969, KASA connects education leaders to policymakers, legislators, and other interest groups, and provides numerous benefits and services to Kentucky’s school administrators.