Kentucky Teacher

Second-grade student Ishaan Choch writes a blog post about his recent trip to India during Cheri Arrowood's class at Jackson City School (Jackson Ind.). The writing Program Review includes communications for the 21st century. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 2011

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

Abbie Combs loves eastern Kentucky. She retired from the Perry County school district after 33 years in positions ranging from 4th-grade teacher to assistant superintendent. Now she serves as field representative for teaching and leadership for the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative (KVEC), which serves school districts in the eastern part of the state.

So she knew she had to take action when she heard there were concerns about how KVEC schools could locate necessary resources and use Program Reviews to improve rural schools. She and Carole Mullins, Kentucky Department of Education English/language arts regional content specialist, surveyed schools and districts to determine what kind of support KVEC should offer.

Continue Reading

Library media specialist Lorena Webb helps 3rd-grade student Savannah Blanton with her PowerPoint about the Liberty Bell at Waco Elementary School (Madison County). The students were learning how to use PowerPoint by creating a presentation about a national monument. Photo by Amy Wallot, April 2011

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

Go to dinner with Charlene McGee, and you may see her 4-year-old grandson use her husband’s cell phone to watch a movie and use her phone to play a game at the same time.

“That is what these kids are growing up doing,” said McGee, district technology coordinator and chief information officer for Madison County school district. “We put them in the cradle with a digital music box. They learn to punch whatever number to hear whatever song by the time they’re 6 months old.”

Yet when students get to school, they are told to “power down and sit and be quiet.”

Continue Reading

The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) has formally entered the realm of social media with the launch of the agency’s Facebook page and Twitter feed.

KDE’s Facebook page can be accessed at www.facebook.com/pages/Frankfort-KY/Kentucky-Department-of-Education/206750929353908 or by searching for “Kentucky Department of Education” on Facebook under “Government Organization.” Subscribe to the KDE Twitter feed by connecting to @KyDeptofEd. Continue Reading

Gov. Steve Beshear has appointed Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) Associate Executive Director David Baird to the eight-member Kentucky School Facilities Construction Commission (SFCC). Baird’s appointment was one of several education-related actions recently made by the governor.

The SFCC, part of the state Finance and Administration Cabinet, assists school districts with school facility construction and technology funding. It distributes state funds to eligible districts certified by the Kentucky Board of Education. The commission issues bonds in its name and enters lease agreements with local boards of education to finance construction of new facilities and major renovation of existing facilities. It is responsible for allocating General Assembly appropriations for the financing of construction and implementation of technology on a timely and objective basis. Continue Reading

The complete set of deconstructed Kentucky Core Academic Standards (KCAS) for English/language arts and mathematics is now available.

For more than a year, teacher leaders from every school district in the Kentucky have been meeting as part of regional Leadership Networks to interpret the new standards and translate them into easily understood learning targets. Continue Reading

Is there a teacher who has made a profound difference in the life of a child? Scholastic.com is collecting stories or tributes about favorite teachers with its Nominate Your Favorite Teacher Contest.
The winning family and the nominated teacher each will win a trip for up to four people to the 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, provided by Homewood Suites by Hilton.
The grand prize includes a four-night stay at the Hilton New York – Times Square, tickets to the parade, and a $3,500 American Express gift card which may be used toward airfare and spending money. Teacher nominations can be made at www.scholastic.com/homewood but should be submitted by July 29. Winners will be announced Sept. 9.

Kentucky students were rewarded for their talents in history at the Kentucky Junior Historical Society (KJHS) 2011 Kentucky History Day (KHD) recently in Frankfort.

KHD is part of the National History Day program, which is an annual, year-long program designed to promote teaching and learning history in America’s schools. Students analyze the historical significance of their topics and present conclusions in dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, websites and research papers to audiences throughout the country. The theme for this year’s contest was “Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures and Consequences.” Continue Reading

Kentucky students and teachers grades 6-12 are invited to apply for a free Research!Louisville-sponsored program at the Science Center scheduled for Oct. 11-14.
Students will interact with a leading scientist engaged in groundbreaking research and learn about scientific advancements being made in the community. Selected groups also will receive admission to the Science Center, hands-on activities with Science Center educators and an IMAX film.
Applications are available online and are due Sept. 7.

Effort boosts mathematics skills, discipline through piano lessons
From KSBA

A musical link between mathematics skills and overall student performance in the Letcher County school district has been selected for the Kentucky School Boards Association’s (KSBA) highest academic honor, the Public Education Achieves in Kentucky (PEAK) Award.

In the first 18 months of the piano program at its seven elementary schools, the district has seen an improvement in 3rd- and 4th-grade mathematics scores, discipline and attendance. Continue Reading

More than 3,500 students from across Kentucky competed in the Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) State Showcase Competition May 13 in Lexington. The students represented more than 324 schools and 97 school districts.
The event provided P-12 students opportunities to present their projects to people outside their classrooms. Three schools were named Best in State in Showcase Projects and will represent Kentucky at the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Conference in Philadelphia June 26-29. STLP engineers also will provide on-site support.

• Millbrooke Elementary, Christian County (Energy)
• Todd County Middle (Digital Citizenship Education)
• Bryan Station High, Fayette County (MultiLanguage Office)

Seven other teams representing six schools placed in the top 10 in the Best of State Showcase:

• Alvaton Elementary, Warren County (Alvaton App Squad)
• Hager Elementary, Ashland Independent (21st Century Family Fitness)
• Maurice Bowling Middle, Owen County (One Dream, One Hope, One Fight)
• Maurice Bowling Middle, Owen County (Go Green To Save Green)
• Oakview Elementary, Ashland Independent (Tailgate with the Tomcat)
• South Floyd High, Floyd County (High Energy iHigh)
• South Warren Middle, Warren County (SWMS Media Show)

Student projects were judged on educational value and value to the entire school/community. Students displayed and discussed projects and services that have impacted their schools or communities. High-quality products in animation, digital citizenship, art, music, video and writing were presented. Students also competed in presentations and live performances in multiple technology categories.

STLP is a project-based learning program that empowers students in all grade levels to use technology to learn and achieve. It was established in 1994 by the STLP State Advisory Council, which is composed of teachers, students and community leaders. The program is open to all students in all grade levels in every school in Kentucky.
To see a listing of all awards and recognitions, visit http://tinyurl.com/3npbkvl.