Richard Thornton Award: Dr. Tommy Floyd

Photo by Rebecca Blessing

KYSPRA created the Richard Thornton Award in 2001 to honor the contributions to public education made by Thornton, a long-time KYSPRA member and past president of the National Association of School Public Relations Association. It is presented to an individual or organization for exceptional leadership and dedication to public education in Kentucky. The 2014 recipient of the Richard Thornton Award is Kentucky Department of Education Chief of Staff Tommy Floyd.

Dr. Floyd has been an educator for nearly 30 years. During his career, he has been a teacher, a coach, an assistant principal, a principal, a Highly Skilled Educator, an assistant superintendent, a superintendent, and now assists Commissioner Holliday in overseeing education for all of Kentucky’s public school children. Whether he was working in Wayne County, Somerset Independent Schools, Montgomery County, Madison County, or the Department of Education, Dr. Floyd has always seen himself as a servant leader working on behalf of the students. 

Because of his commitment to students and their individual success, Dr. Floyd has been recognized by the Kentucky Association of Secondary School Principals as High School Principal of the Year; by the Kentucky Association of School Administrators as Administrator of the Year; and also by organizations such as the Kentucky Library Media Specialists Association, Eastern Kentucky University, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association.

His work on behalf of students is not limited to the school day. Dr. Floyd also served on the National Archery in the Schools Program board; as a member of the Scholastic Administrator Magazine Advisory Council; as a member of the Kentucky School Boards Association Policy Development Committee; and as part of the Governor’s Early Childhood Council.

Dr. Floyd’s commitment to serving students has been evident throughout his career. His vision and leadership have helped to shape the future for many students and has positively impacted public education in many local districts and statewide.

Congratulations to Dr. Tommy Floyd, the 2014 recipient of the Richard Thornton Award.