Honoring Wesley Bullock: 2025 MK Dickerson Outstanding Educator Award Recipient

We are thrilled to announce that Wesley Bullock has been named the recipient of the M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator Award as part of the 2025 KAEE Excellence in Environmental Education Awards. This award honors educators who go above and beyond to advance environmental education in Kentucky, and Wesley’s contributions embody that mission in every way. For more than a decade, he has been a dedicated and visionary leader in EE, consistently investing in the growth of educators, the strength of programs, and the future of the field.

Wesley’s career in environmental education spans multiple roles within his agency and continues in his current position as Executive Director for the Kentucky Environmental Education Council. His colleagues describe him as a transformative force, someone whose leadership has reshaped how environmental education is practiced and valued across the state. One of his most impactful achievements has been his stewardship of the Professional Environmental Educator Certification (PEEC) program. Through years of careful refinement and expansion, Wesley has helped certify dozens of environmental educators and raised the bar for professional excellence in EE. His work with this program has had a ripple effect, strengthening not only individual educators but also the classrooms, nature centers, and communities they serve.

Wesley has also cultivated a workplace that reflects the very heart of environmental education. He models the values of curiosity, lifelong learning, collaboration, and stewardship in everything he does. He encourages his staff to integrate EE principles into their own roles, while also prioritizing professional development and fostering a sense of shared purpose. Whether working with AmeriCorps members, leading PEEC cohorts, or facilitating conversations around equity and inclusion, Wesley is known for living the values he teaches and encouraging others to do the same.

Beyond his agency, Wesley is a respected and influential voice in Kentucky’s environmental education community. He is known for his collaborative spirit, mentorship, and commitment to strengthening partnerships across the state. His work has helped to build a more connected and resource-rich EE network in Kentucky, expanding opportunities for learning and collaboration at every level.

Wesley Bullock may not teach in a traditional classroom, but he is unquestionably an educator, an educator of educators. His quiet, consistent, and values-driven leadership has helped shape the philosophies, practices, and confidence of environmental educators across the Commonwealth. We are honored to celebrate his achievements and recognize him as the 2025 recipient of the M.K. Dickerson Outstanding Educator Award. Congratulations, Wesley, and thank you for your remarkable contributions to the field of environmental education.

We are honored to have Wesley Bullock and our 2025 award winners as part of the KAEE network. We look forward to celebrating them at this year’s KAEE Conference. Awards will be presented during our Annual Awards Luncheon on Friday, November 14, from 12:00 to 1:30 PM at the Owensboro Convention Center.