2024 Legacy NAFC Royal Court

As an educator in the NAFC school system for over two decades, I’ve seen firsthand the profound impact that the NAFC Education Foundation has on our schools, teachers, and students. The Foundation’s Great Classroom and Mental Health Grants give teachers the resources we need to create safe, comfortable, and engaging learning environments while encouraging us to think outside the box and explore new, innovative approaches to teaching.

Education is personal to me. I come from a family of educators—four generations strong. My grandmother, mom, and now even my daughter have all carried the torch of teaching. My daughter, Ellie (FCHS ‘20) is in her first year of teaching as a 3rd-grade teacher at Grant Line Elementary, and my younger daughter, Lauren (FCHS ‘23), is a sophomore at the University of Kentucky. Watching them grow and continue the family tradition makes supporting education even more meaningful to me.

I’ve had the pleasure of teaching at Hazelwood and now Highland Hills Middle School, where I’ve been helping 7th graders discover their passion for history and learning since 2009. My career has been shaped by incredible experiences like sponsoring the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Random Acts of Kindness Club, and being honored as the 2017 NAFC Schools Teacher of the Year and Excel Award Winner.

School is so important to our kids, and the classroom resources provided by the Education Foundation are critical. It’s a privilege to be part of the 2024 Royal Court. When Tyler Bliss, the Executive Director of the Foundation and a former student of mine, asked me to join, I couldn’t say no! It’s an opportunity to give back to the organization that helps our teachers and students thrive, and I’m excited to help ensure that future generations have the support they need to succeed.

The NAFC Education Foundation establishes a culture of support across all our schools and brings our entire community together in support of our educators and students, and I’m proud to be part of that.

-Kristen Boehnlein, New Albany High School '94