Kentucky Teacher

The Kentucky State Fair, August 14-24, has a great way for teachers and students to kick-off the 2014-15 school year.

The KSF Education Program is presenting the following thematic exhibitions: Kentucky Pioneer Homestead, War of 1812 Bicentennial and Civil War Sesquicentennial and the return of Discovery Farm sponsored by the Kentucky Pork Producers.

There are several additional educational opportunities that are being put together for the 2014 Kentucky State Fair. More information will be released in the coming months about all of the exciting opportunities for field trips; so stay tuned!

A full schedule of activities, student worksheets and post-tour lesson plans are planned to complement the Kentucky Core Academic Standards. As students and teachers experience “the ultimate field trip,” they will no doubt be surprised by what they learn on this fun adventure at the Kentucky State Fair. For additional information please visit our website at www.kystatefair.org.

A special discounted admission is available to school groups booked and confirmed in advance. The admission is $2 per student, teacher or chaperone accompanying your group. If you are interested in scheduling a field trip to the Fair, please fill out a booking form and get Continue Reading

The Kentucky School for the Blind is excited to offer two Summer Enrichment Programs (Elementary and MS/HS) and the Summer Work Program for students who are visually impaired or blind throughout Kentucky on Sunday, June 15 – Friday, June 27. Students in the Work Program will be working part-time at the Louisville Zoo.

The theme of the elementary (grades K-5) program is “Lucky to Live in Kentucky”.  Students will explore why they are so lucky by participating in fun-filled activities, exciting field trips, cooking, arts and crafts and listening to guest speakers who will let them in on the secrets why they are so lucky to live in Kentucky.

“Vision Quest” is the theme for the middle/high school (grades 6-11) program.  These students will be on a quest for fun and adventure as they work together with friends, both old and new, to develop a Vision Portfolio and to learn about and use technology that will help them experience the world and sharpen their independence skills.

For more information or an application, click here.

The Innovations for Learning (IFL) Conference 2014, sponsored by the University of Kentucky College of Education, the Fayette County Schools and the Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative, is looking for innovative teachers and educational professionals who love learning to present at this year’s Innovations for Learning Conference, which will be held on September 13, 2014 at Bryan Station High School in Lexington, KY.

The IFL Conference is a free, one-day event that promotes the use of innovative instructional strategies that engage students to improve learning, with an emphasis on the use of technology.  Teachers, technology specialists (TRT/TIS), administrators and anyone else interested in using technology to improve student learning is encouraged to attend. The conference is sponsored by Fayette County Public Schools in partnership with the Central Kentucky Educational Cooperative and the University of Kentucky College of Education.

Last year’s updated format was a success so we will continue to offer both 60 minute sessions AND 20 minute mini-sessions.  Do you know a classroom teacher who has had great success with a specific project or web tool? Have you tried letting students use personal devices in your classroom and have examples to share?  These topics could be perfect for mini-sessions!

For those who just want to attend the conference, registration will open in June.  However, please consider sharing your knowledge and expertise by applying to present.  Directions Continue Reading

The Learning Disabilities Association of Kentucky is hosting its annual seminar June 20 in Louisville.

This year’s speaker is Larry Silver, author of The Misunderstood Child, a respected publication about ADHD and learning disabilities.

For more information, click here. To register, click here.

The America Achieves Fellowship for Teachers and Principals wants to bring educators together to impact practice, policy and public debate on critical issues in education.

This fellowship is designed to leverage participants’ expertise to help other educators improve student outcomes and strengthen leadership and management on a large scale across the education system. Nominations for fellowships are being accepted.

The Teacher and Principal Fellows who are chosen are a diverse group of educators from across the United States and are committed to improving academic outcomes for all students, strengthening their own professional learning and amplifying their voices in conversations about public education. For more information or to apply to become an America Achieves Teacher or Principal Fellow, click here.

The next edition of Education Matters, hosted by Bill Goodman, explores how the new statewide Professional Growth and Effectiveness System helps Kentucky teachers improve their professional practices.

The program airs Monday, April 28, at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on KET. The program includes visits to Marshall and Boone county school districts to see how schools are implementing the new system, which is currently in its pilot year.

Also on the program, Goodman leads a panel discussion with scheduled guests:

• Brad Clark, 4th-5th grade social studies teacher, Woodford County school district and trainer for Hope Street Group and AdvanceKentucky
• Brad Darnell, middle school mathematics teacher, Marshall County school district
• Amanda Ellis, director, Next-Generation Professionals, Kentucky Department of Education
• Stephanie Winkler, president, Kentucky Education Association and science teacher, Mayfield Elementary School, Madison County school district

Education Matters is a KET production.

Earlier this year, Congress approved $15 million to support the delivery of Mental Health First Aid training within schools and local communities. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) will soon release a Request for Applications.

As described in budget documents, SAMHSA will release a funding opportunity for Project AWARE, (Advancing Wellness and Resilience in Education), a program to increase mental health awareness and connect young people and their families with needed behavioral health services. Project AWARE grants will promote comprehensive, coordinated and integrated efforts to make schools safer and increase access to mental health services. The only entities eligible to apply for these funds are local education agencies. Funding announcements are posted here.

In Kentucky, the Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children, Inc. does have a certified trainer for Children’s Mental Health First Aid who can partner with districts on these efforts.

For questions related to Mental Health First Aid, contact Margaret Jaco.

The Kentucky School Boards Association (KSBA) is seeking presenters for a limited number of workshops for the Saturday, July 12, portion of this year’s Summer Leadership Institute.

Sessions last 75 minutes. Proposals should identify the target audiences of new or veteran board members and/or administrators. For an application to present, click here. All submissions must be received by May 9.

Anyone with questions about submitting a proposal should contact Kerri Schelling by e-mail or by calling toll-free (800) 372-2962, ext. 1276.

The 2014 KSBA Summer Leadership Institute will be July 11-12 at the Marriott Griffin Gate in Lexington. Registration information will be posted on the KSBA website later this spring.

The University of Kentucky Schmidt Opera Outreach Program has announced that its fall touring show will be “The Adventures of Alice in Operaland” by Joe Walsh. Inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, Alice journeys through the enchanted forest meeting some of opera’s most beloved characters who teach her all about what makes an opera.

Children will learn terms such as maestro and diction as well as the cultural background of opera and the many components that come together to make opera a special and unique genre, all while hearing melodies from the world’s most famous operas.

This program will educate and entertain grades K-5 audiences. Bookings are available from Sept. 15 through Nov. 27.

Call Courtney Turay at (859) 402-6946 or e-mail UKSOOP@gmail.com to book or sponsor a show.

For more information and a copy of the teacher’s guide, visit http://ukoperatheatre.org – click on Opera Outreach.

The Kentucky Center for Mathematics (KCM) announces the launch of MaRtI Middle, a free and new year-long professional learning experience.

MaRtI Middle allows middle school educators to gain a greater understanding of how 6th-grade students learn mathematics, evidence-based intervention strategies for use with students who are struggling and resources and professional knowledge for identifying and analyzing student misconceptions.

Participants will:

• identify big ideas embedded in the grade 6 Kentucky Core Academic Standards for Mathematics and Standards for Mathematical Practice
• use instructional strategies to improve critical thinking, problem solving and classroom discourse
• explore evidence-based intervention strategies that can be used to help struggling students Continue Reading