When it comes to subject knowledge, no one can question the pedigree of James Ramsey, a biology teacher at Scott County High. Before education, Ramsey had embarked on a career as a science researcher, a pursuit that took him as far afield as Canada, Iceland and especially Alaska. A Boyle County High graduate, he earned […]
Nearing 30 years into her career, at a time when many educators are winding down, Christy Coffey headed in the other direction. Coffey raised her hand when Fayette County Public Schools sought to fill open positions for its Promise Academy program that required longer hours for teachers in challenging conditions at two Title I schools. […]
Kindergarten teacher Jamila Jackson came late to the teaching profession but brought a clear vision with her when the Lexington mother of five became an educator. “My children had some positive experiences and some negative experiences with school,” she said. “I wanted to make sure no one else’s child had the negative experiences we did, […]
When asked to describe their health science teacher, Freddie Grall, at Jessamine County Technology Center, students Ashley Graves and Zoey Rose cheerfully rattle off her attributes. Sweet, caring, supportive, loving… and brutally honest. “We need that in a teacher,” Ashley said. Said Zoey: “She knows when you’re having a bad day. If there is something […]
Associate Principal Kelly Sirginnis of Tates Creek Middle never intended to be an educator. She earned a degree in broadcast journalism and began to substitute teach only to pay off student loans while she attended graduate school. After subbing for a full year at Winburn Middle in 2001, she returned for another year as a […]
When did Kaye Ison of James Lane Allen Elementary School first start preparing for her career as an educator? How about when she was in elementary school herself in Eastern Kentucky? Young Kaye not only loved attending school (“Even when I was sick, I didn’t want to stay home”), she played school at home. When […]
The way she hustles and goes the extra mile for her students, you’d think that math teacher Stacey Starr was in her first year as an educator. If so, you’d be off by 32 years. After three years at Morton Junior High, Starr has spent the past three decades teaching math at Bryan Station High. […]
After one year as an engineering major in college, Ethan Robinson discovered his true professional calling – education. Instead of following his father into engineering, Robinson instead chose the path pursued by his maternal grandmother, who was an elementary and middle school teacher in Virginia. Brenda Crissman Musick also authored three novels and a children’s […]
As one of 16 grandchildren in a large extended family that includes 27 great-grandchildren, Ashland Elementary School teacher Tiffany Brown spent a childhood surrounded by cousins, nephews and nieces. She started babysitting her younger relatives when she was 12 and has always had a soft spot for children. That’s probably why she lasted only one […]
When students walk into Kathy Theis’ guidance office at Clays Mill Elementary, they immediately know this is their space, too. One side of the office is designed for “Chill Sessions” featuring soft lighting, pale blue walls and springy chairs where fidgety kids can “bounce it out.” The other side is where Theis hosts lunch gatherings […]
