Kentucky Teacher

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

Math intervention specialist Suzanne Maynard works on a number line with kindergarten students Makylie Morris and Makenna Fletcher at Southside Elementary School (Pike County). Photo by Amy Wallot, April 10, 2012

Southside Elementary School (Pike County) Principal Jill Maynard has been at her school since it first opened its doors 15 years ago. In that time, she’s seen many changes. One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the family feel of the school.

“We are blessed to have such a unique family,” said Maynard, who is finishing up her first year as the school’s principal. “Our administration, faculty and staff believe we must create an atmosphere of mutual respect where students and teachers are involved in the learning process. We believe that all students will succeed, and we work diligently each day to accomplish this success.”

Southside Elementary was rewarded for its diligent work when the school was named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School along with four other Kentucky public schools.

Suzanne Maynard (no relation) has been at Southside Elementary since the school opened. She currently serves as the school’s mathematics intervention teacher, focusing on K-3 mathematics. She said another constant has been academic success.

“We have always maintained high standardized test scores,” Suzanne Maynard said. “Teachers have clear learning targets with high expectations for all students.” Read the full story

Two Pike County elementary schools are among 66 schools that have been named National Title I Distinguished Schools for their performance in 2011 by the National Title I Association.

The recognized schools are Blackberry Elementary School in Ransom, Ky., and Southside Elementary School in Belfry, Ky.

All of the selected schools are recognized either for exceptional student performance overall, or for significantly closing the achievement gap between student groups. The schools are selected for national recognition by their state Departments of Education based on state-determined criteria, such as use of research-based instructional strategies, implementation of sustained research-based professional development, or established partnerships with parents, families and the community.

The recipients will be recognized Jan. 21 at the 2011 National Title I Conference in Seattle, Wash.

Title I is the largest federally-funded program for pre-college education, providing more than $15 billion annually to schools and districts for supplemental programs to aid economically disadvantaged students. Initiated as a key part of former President Lyndon Johnson’s “War on Poverty,” Title I is the cornerstone of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, currently referred to as the No Child Left Behind Act. Read the full story

Ten Kentucky schools were recognized for the working conditions, safety and student achievement in their buildings at the 17th Annual Safe Schools, Successful Students Conference in Louisville this week.

The schools were selected based on data from the Teaching, Educating, Leading and Learning (TELL) Kentucky survey, which was administered to all public school teachers and principals in March.

The selected schools included:

• North Jackson Elementary (Barren County)
• North Middletown Elementary (Bourbon County)
• South Heights Elementary (Henderson County)
• Lowe Elementary (Jefferson County)
• Adairville Elementary (Logan County)
• Benton Middle (Marshall County)
• North Oldham High (Oldham County)
• Bevins Elementary (Pike County)
• Pulaski County Area Technology Center
• Rockcastle County Middle Read the full story

By Matthew Tungate

matthew.tungate@education.ky.gov

Hope Myatt uses the whole brain teaching method, or power teaching, by having her students use physical activity while learning the stages of magma and lava at Monroe County Middle School. Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 13, 2011

North Middle School (Henderson County) doesn’t allow students to fall through the cracks.

The school’s team structure and use of data identify each student’s areas of need, and each child receives individualized interventions – including teachers using their planning time to mentor students.

For these and numerous other reasons, North Middle was one of five Kentucky middle schools recently named Schools to Watch (STW) as part of a recognition program developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform.

The other recognized schools include Belfry Middle School (Pike County), Benton Middle School (Marshall County), Monroe County Middle School and Olmstead School (Logan County).

The schools were chosen based on their academic excellence, responsiveness to the needs and interests of young adolescents, and commitment to helping all students achieve at high levels.  Read the full story

Five Kentucky public schools have been designated as 2011 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education.

The five are:

• North Middletown Elementary, Bourbon County
• W.R. McNeill Elementary, Bowling Green Independent
• Woodfill Elementary, Ft. Thomas Independent
• Gamaliel Elementary, Monroe County
• Southside Elementary, Pike County

Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary School in Lexington also was named a Blue Ribbon School in the nonpublic schools category. Read the full story

Kentucky students were rewarded for their talents in history at the Kentucky Junior Historical Society (KJHS) 2011 Kentucky History Day (KHD) recently in Frankfort.

KHD is part of the National History Day program, which is an annual, year-long program designed to promote teaching and learning history in America’s schools. Students analyze the historical significance of their topics and present conclusions in dramatic performances, imaginative exhibits, multimedia documentaries, websites and research papers to audiences throughout the country. The theme for this year’s contest was “Debate and Diplomacy in History: Successes, Failures and Consequences.” Read the full story

Belfry Middle School (Pike County) has been selected as a 2010 Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence. Photo submitted

Belfry Middle School (Pike County) was recently recognized as a as a 2010 Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School of Excellence by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc. Belfry Middle is the first public middle school in Kentucky to receive the award. Representatives from the school recently traveled to Orlando to receive the award. Read the full story

GIS, GPS tools guide students through surroundings

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

Ever wondered why a certain plant is prominent in one part of your county but not another?

Maybe you’re curious as to how urbanization and growth affect creeks and other bodies of water.

Students are answering those types of questions thanks to Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) devices.

According to Haridas Chandran, a science teacher at Belfry High School (Pike County), GPS devices, originally designed as military location tools, have found their way into the classroom as educational tools. Read the full story