Kentucky Teacher

Gov. Steve Beshear recently reappointed two members and named five new members to the Kentucky Board of Education.

The appointees are:

• Jonathan Parrent, of Caldwell County, will represent the 1st Supreme Court District. He is the dean of student affairs at Madisonville Community College and works with regional high school students to improve college and career readiness. Continue Reading

GIS, GPS tools guide students through surroundings

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Ever wondered why a certain plant is prominent in one part of your county but not another?

Maybe you’re curious as to how urbanization and growth affect creeks and other bodies of water.

Students are answering those types of questions thanks to Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

According to Haridas Chandran, a science teacher at Belfry High School (Pike County), GPS devices, originally designed as military location tools, have found their way into the classroom as educational tools. Continue Reading

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

It started out as an idea to introduce students to critical thinking beyond what traditional textbooks and lessons offer.

Now it’s a part of who they are.

Graduation 2010, an effort created by the Daviess County school district in the fall of 1997, was intended to expose students to the arts, especially those who might not get those opportunities outside the school setting. But it went beyond that, according to Superintendent Tom Shelton.

“Elements of Graduation 2010 have become embedded into our district identity,” Shelton said. “The arts, music, foreign language, literacy, critical thinking, physical and emotional health, family involvement and community involvement are no longer specifically categorized as ‘Graduation 2010 programs,’ but rather are just a part of who we are and how we educate kids. Continue Reading

Teachers should use technology for betterment of students, Barren County tech leader says

By Matthew Tungate
matthew.tungate@education.ky.gov

In what has become a familiar scene, Benny Lile was greeted with numerous well wishes from his Facebook friends on his birthday in January. But for Lile, director of Instruction and Technology for the Barren County school district, a message from a former student who works in Centre College’s IT department stood out.

“He said, ‘I still give you credit for telling me how to cut and paste that day in the 6th grade for starting my technology career.’ ” Continue Reading

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Even 10 years ago, the phrase “less than a computer but more than a calculator” might have generated a collective shoulder shrug from students.

But that was then, and this is now. Educator Mike Sexton envisions such devices as learning tools in the years to come.

Sexton, a teacher and technology coordinator at Montgomery County High School, sees personal digital assistants (PDAs) and iPhones as potential teaching tools. Those, coupled with more room for labs and more teachers to fully staff an information technology (IT) program, will help students get the most out of a learning experience needed to succeed after high school. Continue Reading

By Matthew Tungate
matthew.tungate@education.ky.gov

Many teachers across Kentucky are walking into classrooms as professional teachers for the first time this month. Danny Pagan, who teaches students with special needs at Dry Ridge Elementary School (Grant County), wants them to know that no two days are ever the same.

“For me, every new day is like a canvas,” said the former graphic designer now in his fifth year teaching.  “I will most definitely bring my paint brush and all my colors, yet the picture I paint may be different than the one I planned.” Continue Reading

By Tamara Buchanan
Caldwell County Elementary School
tamara.buchanan@caldwell.kyschools.us

As a physical education (PE) teacher who uses dance instruction in my classes at Caldwell County Elementary School, Terrie White’s The Elements of Dance is a book other PE instructors should be reading and applying to their instruction. The book introduces dance elements in a simple, concise way that is suitable for 3rd- through 5th-grade students. The book also covers all aspects of current Kentucky core content standards and instruction in dance through illustrations in an age-appropriate, student-friendly manner.

As I worked my way through the elements in the The Elements of Dance, I discovered each fundamental standard was introduced in a clear way that is accessible to students of all learning levels. In addition, there was demonstrated mastery of dance elements from the students after instruction from the book. As elementary school students and teachers use the techniques taught in the book, they discover it is an essential tool for teaching dance at the elementary level. Continue Reading

Teachers Cheri Chaney, Amy Creek, Jennifer Johnson and Laura Kopshever have been honored at the Project CHILD National Conference held in in April. This two-day event is hosted annually by the Institute for School Innovation (ISI) and is attended by educators from around the country.

Chaney, Creek and Johnson received the 2010 Innovation First Year Star Cluster Award. All are Project CHILD teachers at Dishman McGinnis Elementary School (Bowling Green Independent). Continue Reading

Mason County Middle School offers learning in the great outdoors

By Susan Riddell
susan.riddell@education.ky.gov

Science students at Mason County Middle School spent part of the 2009-10 school year learning outdoors.

No field trip was required, however. Students stayed on campus and merely headed outside to woods nearby.

Through grants from Toyota, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and Carmeuse Lime and Stone, teachers Brian McDowell and Grant Felice spearheaded an effort to create a unique outdoor classroom filled with several stations aimed at providing students with hands-on learning opportunities. Continue Reading

A new school year is beginning for Kentucky teachers and students. Here at the Department of Education, we’ve kept busy watching a special legislative session to pass a new two-year budget, submitting the state’s application for Phase 2 of Race to the Top and preparing for this transitional year before changes are implemented as a result of 2009’s Senate Bill 1 (SB 1). There’s a lot going on, and I’d like to take this opportunity to give you the highlights of where we are and where we’re heading this coming school year. Continue Reading