Mr. Stephen Bishop - Educator of the Year

Congratulations to Stephen Bishop, the 2026 Campbellsville Taylor County Chamber of Commerce Educator of the Year!

Stephen Bishop is in his twenty-second year of teaching for Taylor County Schools, where he serves as Band Director and Arts and Humanities Department Chair. He teaches sixth through twelfth grade concert bands, percussion ensemble, marching band, and jazz band. Mr. Bishop earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education from Campbellsville University, graduating summa cum laude, and served as Kentucky State President of CMENC (NAfME).

During his tenure at Taylor County, Mr. Bishop’s concert bands have consistently earned Distinguished ratings at the KMEA Concert Band Festival. The marching band has been a nine-time KMEA State Marching Band finalist and a twelve-time MSBA Class Champion. Under his direction, the TCHS Percussion Ensemble has performed at the KMEA State Conference, and the Taylor County High School Low Brass Ensemble has been accepted to perform at the 2026 KMEA Conference.

Mr. Bishop actively seeks out meaningful performance opportunities that connect students with the wider community. Under his direction, students regularly showcase their talents in a variety of public settings: they march and play in local parades, perform at school ballgames and pep rallies, and perform at community events, civic events, and outreach programs. These experiences are intentionally chosen to build students’ confidence, ensemble skills, and sense of civic pride. By performing in front of diverse audiences, students learn to communicate musically, represent the school with professionalism, and respond to real‑world performance conditions. Beyond musical growth, these public appearances foster teamwork, responsibility, and positive community relationships—strengthening partnerships between the school and local organizations while giving students meaningful opportunities to contribute to the life of the town.

Mr. Bishop has served the Fourth District Band Directors Association as Band Division Chair and as a member of the All-District Band Committee. He was named the 2017 KMEA Fourth District High School Teacher of the Year and, in the same year, received the Campbellsville University Excellence in Teaching Award. He currently serves as the KMEA State Band Chair-elect.

An active adjudicator, Mr. Bishop regularly evaluates marching band, indoor percussion, winter guard, and solo and ensemble events throughout Kentucky and Tennessee. He performs as a member of the tuba section with the Sacred Winds Ensemble and serves on the Sacred Winds Advisory Panel. His professional affiliations include NAfME, KMEA, the Kentucky Education Association, the International Tuba-Euphonium Association, American School Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity.

Additionally, Mr. Bishop recently served as guest conductor of the Bluegrass All-Region Concert Band at the Boyle County Performing Arts Center in Danville. After two days of rehearsals, the ensemble delivered an outstanding performance to a packed house. This invitation reflects Mr. Bishop’s dedication to music education and the respect he has earned across the region.

Mr. Bishop is married to Christina Bishop, a principal and talented flutist in the Taylor County School District. They have three wonderful musical children: Madison, a second-grade teacher at TCPC and oboist; Noah, a trumpet player and music education major at Campbellsville University; and Logan, a senior high school trombonist at TCHS.

Congratulations, Mr. Bishop!

Expect greatness from Taylor County Schools!