Browning Springs Middle School Principal Michael Griffin was honored at the Hopkins County Board of Education meeting on Monday for being awarded the Kentucky Board of Education’s 2025 Robinson Award for Diversity and Equity in Public Education. KBE also presented the award to Jefferson County Public Schools Superintendent Marty Pollio at their March 27 meeting.

Griffin thanked his staff for their support.

“My nine years at Browning Springs have been rewarding, and I am grateful for the exceptional support of my staff,” said Griffin. “Their dedication has been instrumental in achieving this recognition.

“I collaborate closely with my school's youth service center coordinator, our district director of community schools, and the rest of my administrative team to identify and address any barriers our students and community may face. I am truly appreciative of the commitment shown by my staff to prioritize the diverse needs of our students. At Browning Springs, we treat everyone as family.”

Each year, the KBE gives the Robinson Award to a Kentuckian or a Kentucky organization demonstrating extraordinary efforts and contributions in educational diversity and equity. The criteria for receiving this award includes, but is not limited to:

• Successful efforts in closing socioeconomic and/or racial achievement gaps; and
• Significantly improving student learning, student achievement or other measured outcomes among students of color or economically-disadvantaged students.

Commissioner of Education Robbie Fletcher noted that both Pollio and Griffin are worthy recipients because of their dedication to their students.

“It is an honor for the Kentucky Board of Education to be able to recognize the efforts of two leaders who strive to ensure all students have the opportunities and support they need to be successful,” he said. “Dr. Pollio and Mr. Griffin are ‘All In’ when it comes to reducing barriers for students and families.”

According to his nominators, Griffin has a mission to create an environment where all students and families feel supported. He collaborates closely with the youth service center coordinator to identify and address student needs, providing targeted interventions through the school’s multi-tiered system of supports. By analyzing data on at-risk students, Griffin ensures that appropriate academic and behavioral interventions are in place to support success, according to Hopkins County Director of Community Schools Wendy Gamblin, who was one of two people nominating him for the award.

“At the heart of Mr. Griffin’s leadership is his unwavering belief in the potential of every student,” she wrote in her nomination. “He makes it his mission to ensure every child feels respected and celebrated, recognizing their achievements in academics, athletics, attendance, behavior and more. His efforts to uplift students and remove barriers to success reflect his deep commitment to equity and his dedication to fostering a community of belonging.”

Griffin’s other nominator, Zachary Evans, Browning Springs Middle School's family resources and youth services center coordinator, said the principal, “is the true definition of a leader who lives out the values of equity and inclusion.

“Every decision he makes proves his steadfast commitment to closing achievement gaps, fostering a positive school culture and empowering students and families. Through his leadership, Browning Middle School is an amazing community school that is advancing equity and reducing barriers to learning.”

“His transformative leadership has driven meaningful change, improving outcomes for both students and families while fostering a school culture rooted in respect, diversity and opportunity,” Gamblin added.

Griffin’s leadership at Browning Springs Middle has resulted in “remarkable growth,” Gamblin wrote. He spearheaded initiatives that elevated the school’s overall performance rating from orange to yellow, eliminating its Targeted Support and Improvement designation for students with disabilities and Black students. Across the academic areas, student performance has “significantly improved.” Gamblin said the school advanced two classifications in the Quality of School Climate and Safety survey.

Griffin’s leadership spans beyond academics and he has “focused on creating a safe and inclusive environment for all,” Evans said. Griffin led school efforts to address disparities in school discipline, significantly reducing in-school and out-of-school suspensions.

“These changes, along with his initiatives to improve attendance, have ensured that more students are engaged in learning and feel a sense of belonging at school,” Evans added. “Family and community engagement are central to Mr. Griffin’s vision for equity.”

Griffin has implemented programs tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners and their families; introduced multicultural events, parent workshops and family engagement nights; and removed communication barriers by having all school correspondence translated into the language spoken by students and their families, Gamblin said in her nomination.

“These efforts have strengthened school-home partnerships and empowered families to play an active role in their children’s education,” Evans wrote.

The Robinson Award is named for Samuel Robinson, a member of the KBE from 1991-2004 who made diversity and equity in public education his life’s work.

A noted educator and civil rights leader, Robinson began his career in Kentucky in Louisville in 1960. His diverse background in public education includes everything from serving as principal at Shawnee High School (now the Academy at Shawnee) to president of the Lincoln Foundation. Robinson also was a well-known community figure as Louisville navigated the Civil Rights era.

KDE News Release