Haley Jones, a graduating senior at Harlan High School (Harlan Independent), left, was awarded the district’s first GoTeach Scholarship. Tyler Saylor, right, an English language arts and Senior Seminar instructor at Harlan High School, created the scholarship in partnership with two local businesses to encourage and support future educators in Kentucky. Submitted photo
Tyler Saylor, an English language arts and Senior Seminar instructor at Harlan High School (Harlan Independent), has launched a new scholarship initiative aimed at encouraging and supporting future educators in Kentucky.
The newly established GoTeach Scholarship was created through partnerships with two local businesses – Homes4Rent and Coldiron Rentals – and was awarded during the district’s Annual Awards and Honors Night. The one-time $500 scholarship was presented to graduating senior Haley Jones, who plans to pursue a career in secondary social studies education.
Saylor shared that the scholarship grew out of meaningful conversations and collaboration through serving as part of the Kentucky Department of Education’s 2025-2026 GoTeachKY Ambassador cohort. Through the program, participants explored innovative ways to strengthen teacher recruitment and retention efforts across the Commonwealth.
“One of the most meaningful parts of the GoTeachKY Ambassador experience was being challenged to think about how we can actively support and elevate the teaching profession,” said Saylor. “This scholarship became a way to invest directly in a future educator.”
As part of the initiative, Saylor created a digital scholarship application and assembled a panel of reviewers to blindly score submissions. Having taught Haley Jones for two years, he described her as a remarkable future educator with tremendous potential to impact students and communities.
“Receiving this scholarship was really encouraging and meaningful to me as I prepare to pursue a career in education,” said Jones. “It reminded me that there are people in my community who believe in future teachers and want to support us.”
The scholarship was made possible through the support of community partners Homes4Rent and Coldiron Rentals, who emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation of educators.
“We were proud to support a project that invests in students who want to give back through education,” the organizations shared in a joint statement. “Supporting future teachers means supporting the future of our communities.”
Saylor hopes the GoTeach Scholarship will continue annually and expand through additional community partnerships and support.
“My hope is that this scholarship serves as both encouragement and affirmation for students considering the teaching profession,” Saylor said. “Education has a lasting impact on communities, and supporting future educators is one small way we can continue strengthening that work locally and across the state.”
The GoTeachKY Ambassador program continues to empower educators across Kentucky to advocate for and elevate the teaching profession through storytelling, recruitment initiatives and community engagement efforts.
For more information about the ambassador program, visit KDE’s GoTeachKY Ambassador website.
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