Donnie Piercey, 2021 Kentucky Teacher of the Year, is a fifth grade teacher in Lexington, Kentucky. He specializes in incorporating technology to enhance student curiosity, learning, and engagement. He has represented both Kentucky and his students globally, including on a 2018 National Geographic fellowship to Antarctica. Donnie hosts a podcast for educators called Teachers Passing Notes. His recent work in the field of artificial intelligence has garnered widespread recognition. His class has been featured by Good Morning America, the Associated Press, and PBS.