Kentucky Teacher

Lisa Gross, Director of Communications for the Kentucky Department of Education, poses with former interim and associate commissioner Kevin Noland after receiving the Kevin M. Noland Award during the Kentucky Board of Education meeting. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 6, 2012

Lisa York Gross, director of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Division of Communications, received the 2012 Kevin M. Noland Award from the Kentucky Board of Education today.

The award recognizes a KDE employee for significant service to Kentucky’s public schools and for providing inspiration for education. Nominations are made by KDE staff.

Gross received multiple nominations for the award, and one nominator praised her grasp of Kentucky’s increased focus on success for all students.

“She thoroughly understands and can explain the Unbridled Learning system, including how the assessment and accountability system will work, and looks at all of KDE’s publications and communication pieces to focus them on the goal of ensuring that all students are college- and career ready,” the nominator wrote. Continue Reading

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for the Community Transformation Grants – Small Communities Program, funded by the FY 2012 Prevention and Public Health Fund. Approximately $70 million will be awarded to up to 50 communities.

Eligible applicants include school districts, cooperative extension agencies (educational programs within land grant universities) and local health departments.

To apply, send a letter of intent by 5 p.m. ET June 18.

For more information about the grant, go here.

By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

A beautiful day makes for a wonderful field trip. As was the case when 2^nd-grade classes from Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) visited the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. The students were enthralled with learning about native Kentucky animals, even trying to out growl a bear. The snakes, bees and wildcat seemed to be their favorites.

I have always enjoyed visiting Salato. My favorite exhibit is The Living Stream, where you can walk behind a waterfall and peer into a small fish pond.  With both indoor and outdoor exhibits, hiking trails, fishing ponds, picnic areas and plenty of geese to feed, Salato has plenty to keep you busy.

Cailin Kernan fills out a worksheet about the black rat snake at the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students watch a black bear during their visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

John Baggerman holds a pine snake for Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade student Cheyenne Carpenter, center, during a class visit to the Salato Wildlife Education Center. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Southern Elementary School (Fayette County) 2nd-grade students visit the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade student Jarros Madison sits on a giant quail at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Second-grade students Alexis Bailey and Cheyenne Carpenter sit inside an over-sized egg in the quail exhibit at Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

Students are seen through a waterfall in The Living Stream exhibit at the Salato Wildlife Education Center in Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 11, 2012

With the state’s emphasis on college and career readiness, career pathways and Individual Learning Plans, the 2012 Career and Technical Education Summer Program is a professional development opportunity for school board members, superintendents, principals, teachers, counselors and industry partners.

This annual event, with an average attendance of 1,400, will be held July 16-18 at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. The program will offer two general sessions with keynote speakers and more than 75 breakout sessions.

To register and to learn more about the program, go to www.kacteonline.org/summer_program.htm.

The Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries announced that 238 school libraries are being awarded $1.1 million in grants for 2012. The schools receive grants of up to $5,000 to expand, update and diversify their library book collections.

Kentucky public schools receiving money from the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries include: Fairview High School (Fairview Independent); Henry F. Moss Middle School (Warren County); A.B. Chandler Elementary School (Henderson County); Simons Middle School (Fleming County); Fulton County Elementary/Middle School; Minors Lane Elementary School (Jefferson County); Semple Elementary School (Jefferson County); Rowan County High School; East Calloway Elementary School (Calloway County);

The mission of the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries is to support the education of our nation’s children by providing funds to update, extend and diversify the book and print collections of America’s school libraries. More information is available at www.laurabushfoundation.org.

The Kentucky Writing Project and the Louisville Writing Project offer several 2012 summer academies on a variety of interests.

For more details on Kentucky Writing Project activities, visit www.kywritingproject.org/. For details on Louisville Writing Project activities, visit http://louisville.edu/education/research/centers/lwp/.

Some of the Kentucky Writing Project events include:

• Focus on English learners and culturally/linguistically diverse students For more information, contact Jean Wolph at (502) 852-4544 or Gwen Snow at gwen.snow@jefferson.kyschools.us.
• Literacy and Technology Inquiry Project For more information, contact Jean Wolph at (502) 852-4544.
• 2012 Young Writers Camps For more information, contact Susan Rhodes (Louisville area) at (502) 852-4544; Whitney Hamilton (Richmond) at (859) 314-8199; or Morehead Writing Project staff at (606) 783-2426. Continue Reading

Anthony Strong

Anthony Strong practices transparent leadership.

“I like it that way,” said Strong, who just finished his first year as the superintendent of the Pendleton County school district. “I like for people, particularly parents, to know what’s going on.”

Strong, Kentucky Teacher’s June Leader of the Month, previously taught in the district for 10 years before leaving to become an administrator in the Kenton and Campbell county school districts.

When he returned to Pendleton County last year, he brought with him an appreciation for transparency.

“I had a Facebook page for two years in Campbell County, so we looked at that here,” he said. “It’s not a free-for-all, but it’s tied to Twitter for those who don’t have Facebook pages. (Click here to see Strong’s Pendleton County Facebook page.)

Strong said derogatory statements are removed if posted, but negative comments regarding school decisions are not.

“A lot of times, I’ve been able to message those people or comment back, and we work together to turn negatives into positives,” he said. Continue Reading