FRANKFORT, Ky. (WKYT) - Kristal Doolin, a language arts teacher at Corbin Middle School in the Corbin Independent school district, is the 2013 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.

The announcement was made Wednesday at a ceremony held at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort by Ashland Inc. and the Kentucky Department of Education.

Governor Steve Beshear; Commissioner of Education Terry Holliday; and Ashland Chairman and CEO Jim O'Brien were on hand to make the presentation.

Doolin has taught for 15 years, teaching language arts at Corbin Middle School for the past seven years. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Union College and has achieved National Board certification. Doolin chairs her school's Writing Program Review Committee and participates in the Kentucky Leadership Network for Language Arts. She has served as a professional-development facilitator and as a presenter at the Measures of Academic Program Summer Institute and New Standard Back to Writing Portfolio Training Initiatives. Doolin has served as a Kentucky Writing master trainer and is an inductee of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International for Key Women Educators. She is a Kentucky Education Association grant recipient, and her professional affiliations include the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English/Language Arts, the local, state and national education associations and the National Council of Teachers of English.

Heidi Givens, a teacher of deaf and hard-of-hearing students at Tamarack Elementary in Daviess County, was named 2013 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Allison Hunt, social studies teacher at DuPont Manual High School in Jefferson County, was named 2013 High School Teacher of the Year.

The three joined 21 other teachers from across the state honored with 2013 Ashland Inc. Teacher Achievement Awards. Givens and Hunt received $3,000 each and a customized, art-glass vase from Ashland Inc., while Doolin received $10,000 and a commemorative crystal-glass bowl. In addition, the Department of Education will provide a sabbatical or suitable alternative for Doolin, who also will represent the state in the 2013 National Teacher of the Year competition. The remaining 21 winners each received $500 cash awards. All 24 teachers received framed certificates and were further recognized at a luncheon following the ceremony.