Kentucky Teacher

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

Mohamed Hassan helps Twanajia Dorsey handle a python during practice for the Reptile Roadshow at Kennedy Metro Middle School (Jefferson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 6, 2012

As Micah Deramus practices his presentation, he gently pets the hedgehog he’s holding while reciting his research. He starts at the top of the hedgehog’s head, working his hand backwards along the path of its quills.

“This is the safest way to pet them,” Deramus said. “Her quills are white because she’s an albino.”

He continues with more information:

“If they get frightened, they will curl up in a ball and their quills will come out.”

“They may eat any insect.”

“They are native to Africa, Europe and Asia.”

“Hedgehogs can get cancer.”

“If you have one as a pet, keep him in a cage, but make sure it’s big enough for him to run around.”

“You can feed them cooked meat, cat food or hedgehog food.” Continue Reading

Nominations are being accepted for the Governor’s Awards in the Arts, which recognize individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary and significant contributions to the arts in Kentucky. The Kentucky Arts Council coordinates the nomination process for these awards.

Eligibility is specific to each of the nine award categories: Milner, Artist, Business, Community Arts, Education, Folk Heritage, Government, Media and National. Depending on the category, eligible nominees must be residents of Kentucky, organizations located in Kentucky or have close ties to Kentucky.

Past recipients and posthumous nominees are not eligible.

The nomination deadline is Nov. 1.

See program guidelines for more information. Click here for a nomination form. For more information, contact Daniel J. Strauss toll-free at (888) 833-2787 or (502) 564-8110, ext. 474.

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

Eminence High School (Eminence Independent) senior Hannah Ellis uses her computer on the Wi-Fi bus that will take her to Bellarmine University for classes.

The Eminence Independent school district is trying to create an educational Disneyland_®, and administrators embrace the comparison.

In fact, administrators spent three and a half days over the summer at the Disney Institute for Creativity and Innovation “to learn how they embed a culture of systemic innovation and creativity while engaging and personalizing it for every single person,” Superintendent Buddy Berry said.

It’s the kind of place where 3rd graders take a fractions test by baking pizzas in the school cafeteria, 4th graders take a geometry test by building a birdhouse and high schoolers use their laptop computers on a Wi-Fi-enabled bus on their way to take free college classes two days a week.

In May, the school introduced its School on FIRE (Framework of Innovation for Reinventing Education) initiative, which includes Apple MacBook Pro laptop computers for every high school student; a revised schedule with three days for core Continue Reading