Educator Spotlight: David McCoy
David McCoy, the lead welding teacher at Pleasure Ridge Park High School (Jefferson County), has taken the program from its beginning in an old locker room to a bustling program with 141 students in just six years.
Educator Spotlight: Steven Thomas
Steven Thomas didn’t take the “traditional” route to become the educator he is today. After graduating high school, Thomas did not initially attend college with the goal of becoming a teacher. Instead, he chose to apply the skills he learned in his agriculture classes, under teachers William Wallace Evans and Matt Chaliff at Taylor County High School, to pursue a career in welding.
New career and technical education funding proposal discussed during KDE’s Superintendents Webcast
Members of the Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Office of Career and Technical Education discussed a new funding distribution proposal during the Superintendents Webcast on Nov. 9.
Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council discusses expectations for interim commissioner and the 2024 legislative budget
The Kentucky Department of Education’s (KDE’s) Commissioner’s Student Advisory Council met on Oct. 18, where members discussed the Kentucky Board of Education’s 2024 legislative priorities with Meredith Brewer, KDE’s executive director of education policy.
Jefferson County high school welding teacher wins 2023 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence
David McCoy, a high school welding teacher at Pleasure Ridge Park High School (Jefferson County Public Schools), has been named a winner of the 2023 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The price comes with $50,000 for his school’s welding program.
Kentucky Principals Advisory Council discusses commissioner search, Portrait of a Learner
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) sought more feedback on the search for a new education commissioner during the Commissioner’s Principals Advisory Council meeting on Sept. 28.
Planned meat processing facility on Barren County High School’s campus aims to advance agricultural learning
Barren County High School students are preparing for their annual farm-to-table hog roast dinner, where they have an active role in producing and processing the meat served at the community-wide event.
CTE, special education teachers join forces to advance student success
Career and technical education (CTE) prepares students for postsecondary life, allowing them to pursue their interests and match their skills to careers. Special education students, however, have not always had the same opportunity to engage with CTE as their peers.
KDE seeks public comment on proposed amendments to Kentucky’s Carl D. Perkins federal performance goals
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) is seeking public comment on proposed amendments to Kentucky’s Carl D. Perkins federal performance goals as part of the process to update the state Perkins plan.
Schools in Fayette, Scott and Boone counties receive $5.7 million from Toyota to further STEM education
Schools in Scott and Fayette counties and the Ignite Institute in Boone County will receive grants of up to $5.7 million from the Toyota USA Foundation to help prepare students for future science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers.