The National Association of Secondary Schools Principals has named a former Hickman resident as the “High School Principal of the Year” in Kentucky.
Deatrik Kinney, the high school principal at Paducah Tilghman High School, was selected for the honor.
The state association annually recognizes high-performing principals, who model best practices and outstanding secondary school leadership.
Kinney has 18 years of experience in education, including his role at Paducah Tilghman for two-and-a-half years.
Kinney served in the Fulton County School System from 2008-2016, teaching K-thru-12 health and physical education, along with coaching football.
He then served as assistant principal and principal at Todd County Central High School before moving to the Paducah School System in 2021.
Kinney will now travel to Washington D.C. in April for the National Educational Leadership Awards, where the National High School Principal of the Year will be announced.
