The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Principals Advisory Council discussed what school leadership can do to increase teacher retention during its meeting on Sept. 30.
Spencer County Middle School teacher Michelle Gross is a champion for vibrant learning experiences in the projects she leads to help students understand how math applies to their lives. Gross, who has 22 years of teaching experience in math, was named the 2026 Kentucky Teacher of the Year during a ceremony in Frankfort on Oct. 7. She also was named the middle school division winner. Gross and eight other Teacher Achievement Award recipients were honored by the Kentucky Department of Education at the ceremony.
A group of six Russell High School (Russell Independent) students created a safety alert system for their school to help first responders during school emergencies.
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) School Counselors Advisory Council is realigning its priorities to gather more feedback from council members. During their meeting on Sept. 25, KDE leaders talked about wanting council meetings to focus more on gathering feedback from council members rather than listening to presentations from KDE staff.
Members of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Teachers Advisory Council learned about upcoming suicide prevention training for school staff and students during their Sept. 17 meeting.
Several schools in the Boyle County school district hosted special events on Sept. 15 for All In for Ag Education Week.
Trevor Ellis, a recent Mercer County High School graduate who placed 20th in the nation in welding at the SkillsUSA National Championships, is planning a career in welding.
Students from across the Commonwealth gathered at the Kentucky State Fair on Aug. 18 to compete in the first-ever School Garden Salsa Challenge.
A group of three students at Summit Elementary School (Boyd County) created a website called Mystery History to teach their fellow students about social studies in a fun, engaging way.
Students at Kammerer Middle School (Jefferson County) led a drone competition and taught students how to fly drones as part of their Student Technology Leadership Project (STLP) State Championship project.