Kentucky Teacher

School innovation will be the focus of a special summit planned for Louisville later this month.

The Kentucky Department of Education and the eight regional education cooperatives – led by the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative ­– have scheduled a two-day discussion of ways to champion innovation, efficiency and creativity in the state’s public education system.

“Kentucky Leads the Nation – Creating a Culture of Innovation” will take place Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center in Louisville.

Invited participants are district teams of board members, superintendents, administrators, teachers, community leaders and education advocates.

Education Commissioner Terry Holliday and Kentucky Department of Education Director of Innovation and Community Engagement David Cook will kickoff the event on Friday with a talk that focuses on Kentucky’s Continuum of Innovation, Innovation Self-Assessment or Districts and how school districts can apply for District of Innovation status. Continue Reading

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

While traveling in Eastern Kentucky, I had the chance to make a short visit to Jackson County. I stopped by Sand Gap Elementary School and visited with 2nd and 5th-grade classes. The school is striving to meet the needs and curriculum goals of its students through vertical alignment and school-wide themes. According to 5th-grade teacher Regina Flannery, Sand Gap Elementary is using arts and humanities as a springboard for cross curricular connections. ” Engaging in a hands-on approach and allowing our students to experience a particular culture’s way of life has been a great success. It has enhanced our students’ understanding and appreciation of other cultures,” she said. Both grades were learning about Native Americans. Peggy Sulfridge’s 2nd-grade students were creating history packets as they learned about different tribes. Flannery’s 5th-grade students were involved in a weaving art project.

Students in Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class are eager to answer a question about Inuits during class at Sand Gap Elementary School (Jackson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012

Allie Marcum discuses traits of the Inuit with her partner Rachel Farthel during Peggy Sulfridge's 2nd-grade class. The students were creating history packets with information about Native American tribes. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012

Regina Flannery helps 5th-grade student Nathan Estep with his weaving project. At left, Kevin Wilson pulls apart yarn to use for his weaving. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012

Delaney Kenner weaves a colorful pattern during Regina Flannery's 5th-grade class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012

Fifth-grade student Jacob Stone works on his weaving project during Regina Flannery's class. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 7, 2012

What do today’s young people think about the upcoming election?

A special edition of Education Matters, in partnership with Kentucky Youth Advocates, features a panel of Kentucky high school students discussing the election issues that matter most to them. The program airs Thursday, Oct. 11 at 8/7 p.m. CT on KET immediately before the vice-presidential debate at Centre College in Danville, which begins at 9/8 p.m. CT on KET.

“Student Voices, Election 2012” features guest host Renee Shaw and five student panelists from Danville, Elizabethtown, Lexington, and Louisville talking about topics that are important to them in this year’s election. The program also goes behind the scenes in Danville and at Centre to look at the activities and preparations that are taking place leading up to the debate.

 Teachers can visit the Education Matters website at ket.org/educationmatters to access a packet of classroom materials on this year’s election. The classroom materials were developed by Kentucky Youth Advocates and education graduate students at Bellarmine University.

Lieutenant Governor Jerry Abramson  joined local officials, educators and the business community yesterday to launch a state pilot program challenging Campbell County High School seniors to pursue additional education after they graduate.  

The Close the Deal initiative creates a college-going culture in high schools for students who aren’t yet considering higher education. The program supports high school counselors, and engages the business and postsecondary communities in helping these students attain further education past high school.  

 At the Close the Deal launch, seniors met with college representatives regarding how to apply for admission and financial aid, while local business leaders outlined the skills needed for current and future opportunities.

“We started Close the Deal when I was mayor of Louisville because we realized that many talented students who would earn a high school diploma had no idea what to do next. Since then, more than 5,400 students have learned how to continue their education thanks to the program, and it’s still going strong in Louisville,” Abramson said. “Now we are partnering with Continue Reading

Every morning in the Kathryn Winn Elementary School (Carroll County) gymnasium, Principal Gerda Wise leads to students in a college chant before they leave for their classrooms.

“Hey, first grade. When are you going to college?” Winn asks.

“We are going to college to get some knowledge in 2024,” students reply.

Wise repeats the college chant for remaining grades, and each answers with the year of their high school graduating class.

“I was a first person in my family to go to college,” said Wise, who has been Winn Elementary’s principal for three years and is Kentucky Teacher’s October Leader of the Month. “My parents told me from the time I was little on that I could go to college. It was that belief in me that made me who I am.”

Wise, who is a product of Carroll County schools and has more than 30 years of experience, understands the importance of a community and a school believing in their students, too. Continue Reading