(FRANKFORT, KY) – On Thursday, Jan. 17, Kentucky Education Commissioner Wayne Lewis will begin a monthly series of visits to Kentucky area technology centers (ATCs), high, middle and elementary schools across the state.

Thursday morning’s visits will be to Bullitt County, where the commissioner and other state education officials will make stops at Bernheim Middle School, Lebanon Junction Elementary and the Bullitt County Area Technology Center. Thursday afternoon the visits will be at Nelson County Area Technology Center, Foster Heights Elementary School and Old Kentucky Home Middle School.

“I am looking forward to seeing learning in action during my visits,” said Lewis. “The best part of my job is having the opportunity to spend time in schools with students, educators and leaders. I get to see teaching and learning in action, and in addition to students and educators, engage with parents and community stakeholders. There is no substitute for personally spending time in classrooms and in local Kentucky communities.”

During the tour, several of the ATCs will host “Conversations with the Commissioner,” an open forum during which local stakeholders are encouraged to discuss issues including, but not limited to, school accountability, career and technical education (CTE) and graduation requirements.

“I am particularly interested in discussing career and technical education with students, educators and community stakeholders. CTE has to become a central part of high school education in Kentucky. Advancing CTE across Kentucky is necessary if we are to ensure that graduates are prepared to take advantage of career opportunities and that the state has the skilled workforce needed to attract and retain good paying jobs,” said Lewis. “I am excited about the opportunity to hear firsthand about challenges and opportunities as we chart a course forward together.”

The ATC visits will be at the following locations and “Conversations with the Commissioner” will be held at the ATCs indicated in bold. The additional elementary, middle and high school visits will be scheduled in the coming months.

Jan. 17
Bullitt County Area Technology Center
Nelson County Area Technology Center

Feb. 1
Trailblazer Academy (Harrodsburg Area Technology Center)

Mar. 21
Mason County Area Technology Center

April 10
Greenup County Area Technology Center
Russell Area Technology Center

May 22
Logan County Career and Technical Center
Warren County Area Technology Center

June 26
Mayfield/Graves County Area Technology Center

July 18
Carroll County Area Technology Center

July 25
Jackson County Area Technology Center
Lee County Area Technology Center

Aug. 22
Knott County Area Technology Center
Hazard Regional Technology Center

Sept. 19
Clark County Area Technology Center
Montgomery County Area Technology Center

Sept. 26
Webster County Area Technology Center

Oct. 2
Corbin Area Technology Center

Nov. 7
Breckinridge County Area Technology Center
Meade County Area Technology Center
Green County Area Technology Center

Dec. 12
Clinton County Area Technology Center
Wayne County Area Technology Center
Lake Cumberland Area Technology Center
Pulaski County Area Technology Center