Western & Southern Names Kristen Carter 2025 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year

Western & Southern Financial Group named Kristen Carter, Career and Technical Education (CTE) educator at Cincinnati Public Schools’ Riverview East Academy, the 2025 Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year. 

Carter was chosen by Western & Southern and other reviewers from a group of finalists who were nominated by their peers in the Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS) district. She was recognized with a plaque at a ceremony held at the Guilford Building downtown and will receive a personal check for $10,000 from Western & Southern.

In addition, at this year’s celebration event, each of the other four finalists also received a personal check for $2,500, recognizing their outstanding contributions. Those finalists were Gretchen Bayer (Woodford Academy), Jaclyn Deutsch (Academy of Multilingual Immersion Studies), Brad Gerard (School for Creative and Performing Arts) and Heather Woodyard (Walnut Hills High School).

At the ceremony, WLWT-TV anchor Courtis Fuller served as emcee; John F. Barrett, Western & Southern’s chairman, president and chief executive officer, and Shauna Murphy, CPS superintendent, congratulated all the finalists.

“Western & Southern Financial Group is pleased to honor Kristen Carter for her remarkable dedication and impact on her students,” said Barrett. “Kristen’s inspiring commitment to the youth of Cincinnati plays a vital role in strengthening our community and enhancing the quality of life across our region.”

“At Cincinnati Public Schools, we believe in preparing students for life 'Beyond the Tassel,' and educators like Kristen Carter are leading the way,” said Cincinnati Public Schools Superintendent Shauna Murphy. “Through her deep commitment to academic excellence and real-world learning in healthcare, Ms. Carter is equipping our students for successful careers after graduation. We are proud to celebrate her dedication and grateful to Western & Southern for honoring the outstanding educators who are building brighter futures for our kids.”

“It’s an incredible honor to win this award,” Carter said. “I’m very passionate about healthcare – I was a nurse by trade before I became a teacher – and so I see the need for these young people to have a quality education in healthcare. I’m very humbled to be recognized among all the great Cincinnati Public Schools educators.”

Western & Southern established the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award in 2007 to inspire and reward excellence among CPS educators. This distinguished award honors one educator each year who has elevated the educational process in public schools to an exceptional level through personal commitment, dedicated focus and outstanding results. The namesake of the award, Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins, was a member of the elite Tuskegee Airmen, a well-respected Cincinnati educator, former executive vice president of administration at the University of Cincinnati and former Western & Southern board member. He passed away in 2009.

For more information on the Dr. Lawrence C. Hawkins Educator of the Year Award, visit www.westernsouthern.com/hawkinsaward. 



About Cincinnati Public Schools
The Cincinnati City School District, also known as Cincinnati Public Schools serves about 35,000 students in over 66 schools spread across southwest Ohio. CPS is Greater Cincinnati's largest, and Ohio's second largest school district. CPS offers families high-quality educational choices and a variety of academic programs. CPS’ work is outlined in five strategic priorities – Support Our Students, Equip Our Educators, Connect Our Community, Ignite Innovation and Optimize Operations. CPS is committed to developing the whole child, ensuring students thrive and graduate prepared to enroll in college, enlist in the military or become gainfully employed. For more information visit www.cps-k12.org.