On the final Education Matters of the 2011-2012 school year, “Inside the Teaching Profession,” guests take a look at the job of educators in Kentucky and across the nation. The program airs Monday, April 23 at 9/8 p.m. CT on KET.

Host Bill Goodman and panelists – including practicing teachers – discuss a variety of topics, including the challenges and successes of teaching in the United States, evaluating classroom performance, compensation, and attracting and retaining teachers.

“Inside the Teaching Profession” is a follow-up to the recent statewide screenings of the documentary American Teacher, sponsored by the coalition of Kentucky education organizations. Narrated by Matt Damon, the film was based on the 2005 bestseller Teachers Have It Easy: The Big Sacrifices and Small Salaries of America’s Teachers by Daniel Moulthrop.

Program guests will include: Stu Silberman, executive director, Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence; Elizabeth Ann Fuller, 2012 Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year and reading/writing teacher at Atkinson Elementary School, Jefferson County; Stephanie Winkler, science teacher, Mayfield Elementary School, Madison County; and Jonathan Rogers, science teacher, Bryan Station High School, Fayette County.

Education Matters is a KET production, produced by Nancy Carpenter. More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.