Emerging from the pandemic, we’ve all heard increasing concerns about the current state of the teaching profession, both here in Kentucky and nationally. As districts struggle with filling positions both in the classroom and in support roles, we are seeing some noticeable strains in the educator workforce.
Almost two years ago, I quietly received an email that I was nominated for the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. I remember thinking that I would never be picked because I didn’t feel like I had done anything worth celebrating.
One of the things I miss most being commissioner of education is the ability to be out in our schools every day. While I love my position and the opportunities it gives me to help shape policies and state priorities, the school building is where the rubber meets the road.
As a way to strengthen local efforts to connect with families and students, the Harlan Independent School District jumped at the opportunity to participate in the Family Friendly Schools initiative.
Kentucky’s future vision for education, called United We Learn, was developed after listening to Kentuckians from all parts of the Commonwealth and represents what they said they wanted for our schools and their children when we took the time to listen. One major component of that vision is to create “vibrant learning experiences for every student.”
A lifelong resident of eastern Kentucky, I reside in beautiful Menifee County nestled between Cave Run Lake and the Red River Gorge. I have spent the last 16 years of my career working in education in my hometown to try to identify ways I can serve my school and my community.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Kentucky Teacher Awards.
Across the state last school year, almost 21,000 of our public school students experienced some type of homelessness or housing instability.
I had the privilege in September of presiding over my first in-person Kentucky Teacher of the Year ceremony at the Kentucky State Capitol Rotunda. There are two parts of my job that I find the most enjoyable. The first is when I get to visit classrooms and see our students deeply involved in learning.
Deeper learning. It is a current flashpoint in education. The term is misused and misunderstood, and often results in a focus on the learning experience itself rather than the learning. This is particularly interesting to me recently as I’ve been looking at “learning” in the context of how we use the word.