Jefferson County Public Schools' (JCPS) Chief of Exceptional Child Education (ECE) has won a 2025 Grissom Award for Innovation in Special Education. Kim Chevalier was presented the award at the Kentucky Board of Education’s (KBE’s) meeting on Aug. 7.
Chevalier was recognized for transforming the largest special education program in Kentucky during a time of state-directed corrective action.
“I am proud to celebrate this recognition of innovation in special education,” said Chevalier. “Jefferson County Public Schools serves nearly 14,000 students with disabilities. We know how much creative, student-focused work changes lives – and this award shows what’s possible when we put kids first.”
The Grissom Award is given each year to Kentuckians or a Kentucky organization to honor outstanding dedication to improving student achievement for students with disabilities. The award recognizes those who exhibit leadership, commitment, and service to promote high student achievement through instructional equity and in closing the achievement gap for all children.
According to a Kentucky Department of Education news release, Chevalier’s leadership not only “steered the district out of corrective status by 2020, but laid the foundation for sustainable, systemic improvement,” her nominator Jackie Williams, JCPS executive director of exceptional child education and special programs, wrote in her nomination letter. “Chief Chevalier’s approach is rooted in equity, innovation and a deep personal commitment to children,” Williams wrote.
Chevalier was one of two 2025 Grissom Award winners. The other is The Bridges Program, a resource classroom at Hogsett Primary School (Danville Independent) for preschoolers with significant language and social delays.