By Amy Wallot
amy.wallot@education.ky.gov

This year I had the opportunity to photograph a couple of events that have been going on for years, but I had never attended, such as the graduation ceremony at the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center and bus driver training. I marched with students down Capitol Avenue as they commemorated the 50th anniversary of the civil rights March on Frankfort. I experimented with putting a camera on a teacher’s head for the day. And as always, I traveled the state to share what teachers were doing to challenge their students and make their schools better places.

Here is a collection of my favorite pictures from 2014. As always, if you have something unique and visually interesting happening in your school, contact me at amy.wallot@education.ky.gov. Maybe I’ll come visit and feature your school in Kentucky Teacher. Have a great 2015!

Crystal Barker and her son, preschool student Voin Barker sled down the hill together at Highland Christian Church during a snow day in Franklin County. Photo by Amy Wallot, Jan. 21, 2013

Crystal Barker and her son, preschool student Voin Barker, sled down a hill together during a snow day in Franklin County.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Jan. 21, 2014

Sixth-grade student Paige Koch hula hoops using two hoops during Nick Cravens gym class at Boston Elementary School (Nelson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 27 2013

Sixth-grade student Paige Koch hula hoops using two hoops during Nick Cravens’ gym class at Boston Elementary School (Nelson County).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 27, 2014

Teaching assistant Tammy Rice helps kindergarten student Makiyah Ward zip up a dress at North Park Elementary School (Hardin County). It was her first day of class and she was enjoying playing dress up. Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 27 2013

Teaching assistant Tammy Rice helps preschool student Makiyah Ward zip up a dress at North Park Elementary School (Hardin County). It was her first day of class and she was enjoying playing dress-up.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Feb. 27 2014

DuPont Manual High School (Jefferson County) sophomore Mia Thompson stood on the steps of the capitol with other members of the DuPont Manual Black Student Union during the 50th Anniversary Civil Rights March on Frankfort. Photo by Amy Wallot, March 5, 2014

DuPont Manual High School (Jefferson County) sophomore Mia Thompson stood on the steps of the capitol with other members of the DuPont Manual Black Student Union during the 50th Anniversary Civil Rights March on Frankfort.
Photo by Amy Wallot, March 5, 2014

Fourth-grade student Weston Wright walked to school during National Bike to School Day at Northside Elementary School (Scott County). Wright said he enjoyed it, but the part of the walk that was uphill was a little tough. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 7, 2014

Fourth-grade student Weston Wright walked to school during National Bike to School Day at Northside Elementary School (Scott County). Wright said he enjoyed it, but the part of the walk that was uphill was a little tough.
Photo by Amy Wallot, May 7, 2014

Katie Decker, a 4th-grade language arts teacher at Glenn Marshall Elementary School (Madison County), sports a GoPro camera on her head to capture a day in the life of a teacher. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 9, 2014

Katie Decker, a 4th-grade language arts teacher at Glenn Marshall Elementary School (Madison County), sports a GoPro camera on her head to capture a day in the life of a teacher.
Photo by Amy Wallot, May 9, 2014

Star Elementary School (Carter County) Principal Charles Baker talks with 4th-grade student Kelsie Fleming before she heads to lunch. Photo by Amy Wallot, May 14, 2014

Star Elementary School (Carter County) Principal Charles Baker talks with 4th-grade student Kelsie Fleming before she heads to lunch.
Photo by Amy Wallot, May 14, 2014

Northern Elementary School (Fayette County) 1st-grade student Christian Murillo during the Summer Food Service Program kickoff at Castlewood Park in Lexington. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 11, 2014

Northern Elementary School (Fayette County) 1st-grade student Christian Murillo during the Summer Food Service Program kickoff at Castlewood Park in Lexington.
Photo by Amy Wallot, June 11, 2014

Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center's 40th commencement. Photo by Amy Wallot, June 13, 2014

Graduates applaud their friends during the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Training Center’s 40th commencement.
Photo by Amy Wallot, June 13, 2014

Driver trainer Keith Main, left, explains to Lincoln County schools bus driver Ted Defosset the wheel chair lift on a special needs bus during driver trainer instructor training at Franklin County High School. Defosset started driving after he retired at age 63 and loves it. Photo by Amy Wallot, July 9, 2014

Driver trainer Keith Main, left, explains to Lincoln County schools bus driver Ted Defosset the wheelchair lift on a special needs bus during driver training at Franklin County High School. Defosset started driving after he retired at age 63 and loves it.
Photo by Amy Wallot, July 9, 2014

Jones Park Elementary School 5th-grade teacher Angela Buis takes a selfie with Jonesy, a stuffed panther and school mascot, at the Natural Arch. Buis takes pictures of Jonesy at various locations and incorporates them into her lesson plans. Photo by Amy Wallot, July 9, 2014

Jones Park Elementary School (Casey County) 5th-grade teacher Angela Buis takes a selfie with Jonesy, a stuffed panther and school mascot, at the Natural Arch. Buis takes pictures of Jonesy at various locations and incorporates them into her lesson plans. Photo by Amy Wallot, July 9, 2014

Beaumont Middle School (Fayette County) 7th-grade student Sophia Price and Boyle County Middle School 6th-grade student Paige Newby react to work extension graduate student Caitlin Stamper holding a hissing cockroach during the Girls' STEM Day at the University of Kentucky. "We try to educate people about insects. Even if they are a little scary, they serve a necessary purpose," Stamper told the students. Photo by Amy Wallot, July 29, 2014

Beaumont Middle School (Fayette County) 7th-grade student Sophia Price and Boyle County Middle School 6th-grade student Paige Newby react as extension graduate student Caitlin Stamper holds a hissing cockroach during the Girls’ STEM Day at the University of Kentucky. “We try to educate people about insects. Even if they are a little scary, they serve a necessary purpose,” Stamper told the students.
Photo by Amy Wallot, July 29, 2014

Junior Austin Slucher plays the quad drums during Western Hills High School (Franklin County) band camp. Photo by Amy Wallot, July 29, 2014

Junior Austin Slucher plays the quad drums during Western Hills High School (Franklin County) band camp.
Photo by Amy Wallot, July 29, 2014

Breckenridge County High School freshman Isaak Jeffries rests and pets Blue before showing sheep with his sister at the Kentucky State Fair. Isaak is a member of the FFA. Photo by Amy Wallot, Aug. 14, 2014

Breckenridge County High School freshman Isaak Jeffries rests and pets Blue before showing sheep with his sister at the Kentucky State Fair. Isaak is a member of the FFA.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Aug. 14, 2014

Library media specialist Heidi Neltner talks into a whisper phone while reading Count The Monkeys by Mac Barnett and Kevin Cornell with kindergarten student Sophia Taylor at Johnson Elementary School (Ft. Thomas Independent). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 17, 2014

Library media specialist Heidi Neltner talks into a whisper phone while reading Count The Monkeys by Mac Barnett and Kevin Cornell with kindergarten student Sophia Taylor at Johnson Elementary School (Ft. Thomas Independent).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 17, 2014

Analisa Stevenson celebrates winning a blue ribbon in the 60 meter dash with her dad Shaft Stevenson during the Kentucky School for the Blind's 36th Annual Bill Roby Track and Field Games for children ages 3-14 who are blind and visually impaired. She is a 2nd-grade student at John F. Kennedy Montessori Elementary School (Jefferson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 30, 2014

Analisa Stevenson celebrates winning a blue ribbon in the 60-meter dash with dad Shaft Stevenson during the Kentucky School for the Blind’s 36th annual Bill Roby Track and Field Games for children ages 3-14 who are blind and visually impaired. She is a 2nd-grade student at John F. Kennedy Montessori Elementary School (Jefferson County).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Sept. 30, 2014

First-grade students Brooklyn Vernon and Liddie Burtin have lunch at Earlington Elementary School (Hopkins High School). Cafeteria expectations at the school include talking quietly and cleaning up your mess. Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 16, 2014

First-grade students Brooklyn Vernon and Liddie Burtin have lunch at Earlington Elementary School (Hopkins County). Cafeteria expectations at the school include talking quietly and cleaning up your mess.
Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 16, 2014

Case Grillot measures angles during Katie Huber's 5th-grade class at Johnson Elementary School (Fort Thomas Independent). Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 21, 2014

Case Grillot measures angles during Katie Huber’s 5th-grade class ay Johnson Elementary School (Fort Thomas Independent).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 21, 2014

Second-grade student XXXX displays her paint covered hands during Nikki Evertt's art class at Johnson Elementary School (Ft. Thomas Independent). Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 21, 2014

Second-grade student Ava Houze displays her paint-covered hands during Nikki Everett’s art class at Johnson Elementary School (Fort Thomas Independent).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Oct. 21, 2014

Steven Russell works on multiplication during Sarah Reed's 3rd-grade class at Field Elementary School (Jefferson County). Photo by Amy Wallot, Nov. 21, 2014

Steven Russell works on multiplication during Sarah Reed’s 3rd-grade class at Field Elementary School (Jefferson County).
Photo by Amy Wallot, Nov. 21, 2014