Rewind to March 2022. Just like every other teacher I know, I quickly scanned the 20,000 emails in my school inbox (if yours is less than that, share your secret) during my lunch period and skipped right over an email from “Kentucky Teacher of the Year.” Let’s face it – why would they be emailing me?
Almost two years ago, I quietly received an email that I was nominated for the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. I remember thinking that I would never be picked because I didn’t feel like I had done anything worth celebrating.
As a way to strengthen local efforts to connect with families and students, the Harlan Independent School District jumped at the opportunity to participate in the Family Friendly Schools initiative.
A lifelong resident of eastern Kentucky, I reside in beautiful Menifee County nestled between Cave Run Lake and the Red River Gorge. I have spent the last 16 years of my career working in education in my hometown to try to identify ways I can serve my school and my community.
Deeper learning. It is a current flashpoint in education. The term is misused and misunderstood, and often results in a focus on the learning experience itself rather than the learning. This is particularly interesting to me recently as I’ve been looking at “learning” in the context of how we use the word.
“Look for the helpers,” is sound advice we have come to rely on in the aftermath of tragedy. The phrase originated from Nancy McFeely Rogers, but her words were later popularized by her son, Fred Rogers, in his book, “Mister Rogers Talks with Parents.”
The foundation for great teamwork in eastern Kentucky following the catastrophic flooding – and what I feel is at the heart of every successful team – is open lines of communication.
Hunter Combs I spent July 26 like many other teenagers in Knott County – talking with friends, enjoying the last few days of summer break, yet excited for a new school year. Around 11:30 p.m., we all received a notification saying that our area was on a flood watch.
Two weeks ago, our eastern Kentucky community was devastated by flash flooding. Perry County suffered damage that was both unprecedented and shocking. No loss is greater than the loss of a family member, especially those taken far too early. Our thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with those who suffered the greatest loss.
As a principal who grounds her work in leading a school that is a model of inclusivity, I know that optimal student success in achievement, engagement and sense of belonging occurs when there is a strong partnership between home and school.