Monthly Newsletter

July 2023

Message From Audrey Gilbert

I hope everyone is having a wonderful summer so far! Our Building a Bold New Future with Communities Committee will be presenting to the Kentucky Board of Education in August and representing the work that the council has been doing since last November.

As we get closer to our next full council meeting and in preparation for this presentation, I am reminded of the progress that we have made and the collective learning we have done. I am proud of our council and excited to see what’s next for each committee as we work toward the implementation of the Kentucky United We Learn vision.

Updates from our Committees

The Vibrant Learning Experiences (VLE) Standing Committee met virtually on June 21.

Chair Justin Dunning presented the six-month goal and sought feedback on the concept of Vibrant Learning. Karen Perry proposed creating a map showcasing Vibrant Learning sites across Kentucky and shared the objectives of other United We Learn committees.

The election of co-chairs was postponed until more members could participate.

Perry emphasized the Kentucky Board of Education's (KBE's) desire for increased collaboration with the Kentucky United We Learn Council. The committee analyzed the KBE Learning Experiences Value Statements regarding VLE aspects.

The committee will meet again on July 24, 4-5:30 p.m. ET.

The Bold New Future (BNF) Standing Committee met virtually on June 5.

The committee reviewed an overview of the current Portrait of a Learner implementation status for Kentucky school districts using data collected via an optional survey disseminated by the Kentucky Department of Education Division of Innovative Learning. Members provided feedback on possible changes to graduation requirements to incorporate defenses of learning aligned with an approved portrait of a learner.

The committee discussed the plan for developing a BNF presentation for the August Kentucky Board of Education retreat and regular meeting.

The committee met again on July 11

The Accelerating Innovation (AI) Standing Committee met virtually on June 5.

Members heard updates about other Kentucky United We Learn committees, including the six-month goals and meeting information, as well as Kentucky Board of Education updates.

Working plans for the current six-month goal were discussed. Members of the AI Standing Committee's subcommittee on graduation requirements joined the Bold New Future Standing Committee to share information and ideas.

The committee met again on July 10.

Meet the Council Members

Caryn Scheiding

Committee: Vibrant Learning Experiences

Caryn Scheiding is serving as an elementary school counselor at Williamstown Independent, where she has been for the past five years. Prior to elementary counseling, she was a school counselor for 6th-12th grades, also at Williamstown Independent. Scheiding is passionate about working with the students and families she serves. In particular, she has received specialist training through American School Counselor Association for trauma and crisis response. She also serves as chairperson for the Commissioner's School Counselor Advisory Council. Scheiding lives with her husband and three children.

Jessica Jenkins

Committee: Bold New Future

Jessica Jenkins served as an elementary and middle school teacher for seven years until shifting her focus to home and her two children. She has her master’s degree in middle school education with certification in environmental education and biology from Eastern Kentucky University, and her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Berea College. Jenkins is enthusiastic about serving on the Bold New Future with Communities Committee because she understands the importance of community involvement within the school systems. As a parent, she continues to work closely with local schools as she advocates for learning opportunities for disabled students and for environmental science implementation within the classroom.

Betty Edwards

Committee: Accelerating Innovation

Betty Edwards is an education consultant working with Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools at Special Olympics North America, where she serves as the chair of the National Education Leaders Network. Previously, she was the executive director of the Association for Middle Level Education. During Kentucky’s reform initiative in the 1990s, Edwards served as director of curriculum and assessment at the Kentucky Department of Education. Following her work in Kentucky, she was the associate director of the National Study of School Evaluation, then vice president of testing and professional development at Measured Progress. Early in her career, Edwards was a teacher and school and district administrator in Oldham County.

Related Information

Susan R. Strange

Strategic Plan Program Manager

Strategic Planning & Research

Office of the Commissioner

CGSA Project Manager

Division of Innovative Learning

Office of Continuous Improvement and Support

Phone: (502) 564-2002, ext. 4014

Email: susan.strange@education.ky.gov

300 Sower Blvd. – 5th floor

Frankfort, KY 40601