(FRANKFORT, KY) – The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has hired Jennifer Fraley as the director of mathematics education.
In her role, Fraley will oversee the implementation of House Bill 162, the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act, and the development of statewide supports for mathematics teaching and learning. She began her position in the KDE Office of Teaching and Learning on July 1.
The position will receive sustainable funding from the Kentucky General Assembly through the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act. Sponsored by Rep. James Tipton, chairman of the House Education Committee, the Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act provides a multifaceted approach to improve mathematics teaching and learning and advance outcomes for all students. Per the legislation, KDE, local districts, schools and postsecondary educator preparation programs will play a role in creating systemic improvement in math outcomes for students in grades K-8.
“The Kentucky Numeracy Counts Act Fund will allow KDE to establish math teacher academies, leadership networks and curriculum-based professional learning aligned to high-quality instructional resources adopted by local districts,” said Fraley. “This will emphasize building teacher and administrator capacity to address mathematics teaching, learning and interventions to equip educators with the knowledge, skills and tools to improve student experiences in mathematics and bolster student success.”
KDE has shared a House Bill 162 implementation timeline document to help districts navigate the new law.
Fraley is no stranger to KDE, as she worked in the KDE Office of Teaching and Learning from 2000 to 2008 as a branch manager.
“I am so excited to come back to KDE and work with administrators and teachers across the Commonwealth,” she said.
Fraley most recently served as the chief academic officer for Carter County Schools, is a past president of the Kentucky Association of School Administrators and is a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. Fraley also served the southeastern part of the state as the professional learning lead for the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative in Hazard.
Fraley said she was drawn to education early in her life.
“I always thought growing up that I wanted to be a teacher. Then, I had a high school teacher who I respected so much, tell a class that in all his years of teaching, he had one student who he felt was ‘truly teacher material,’ and that student was me,” Fraley said. “When others who were in that class told me what he said, it sort of sealed the deal.”
Fraley was born in Louisville, but she said she knew she wanted to live and teach in rural areas.
“I wanted to work with students who were trying to overcome generational and situational poverty and needed the influence of a teacher who really cared for them,” she said. “I moved to Eastern Kentucky right out of college. I didn’t know a soul, but that quickly changed. Education gives you the opportunity to build close connections with families, community and other educators.”
Fraley believes family and community engagement is “not only necessary, but critical” to mathematics success, and builds the foundation for future learning.
“My career experiences have given me a chance to not only build relationships with students who were facing many obstacles, but to also work with teachers and administrators who were working to build systems of continuous improvement,” she said.
Fraley received a bachelor’s degree in education from the University of Louisville, a master’s degree and a Rank 1 in educational leadership from Morehead State University and has a doctorate degree in education administration from the University of the Cumberlands.
Fraley is married to Richard Fraley, a special education teacher and football coach in Carter County.
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