Watch this
Taylor County Schools Superintendent Roger Cook is among the “20 to Watch” education technology leaders named by the National School Boards Association’s Technology Leadership Network. The 20 education leaders from across the country were recognized March 19 in Washington, D.C., for inspiring colleagues to incorporate innovative technology solutions that contribute to high-quality learning environments and district efficiency.
Cook was singled out for pushing technology boundaries. His district provides iPads to all high school students, encourages teachers to explore the Web-based flipped classroom concept and provides 24/7 learning opportunities through a Virtual Academy.
“The ‘20 to Watch’ honorees offer real-world examples of how new technologies are being used to impact learning and how these new tools may influence or inform policy,” said NSBA Executive Director Thomas J. Gentzel.
On the green scene
Fayette County school district’s Wellington Elementary has received the 2014 Kentucky Green Ribbon School Award. The award recognizes achievement in environmental impact, health and education. Staff, students and communities work together in Green Ribbon schools to produce sustainable, energy-efficient and healthy school environments, as well as making sure their graduates are literate in environmental and sustainability issues.
After winning the state award, Wellington Elementary will compete in the national competitions. Those winners will be announced this month.
National exposure
Four Kentucky school districts have been chosen to present clinic sessions at the National School Boards Association’s annual conference, April 5-7 in New Orleans.
Erlanger-Elsmere Independent’s board team will present a workshop on Innovative Interventions and Support Systems for Adolescents based on the system they designed for the district. Taylor County Schools leaders will outline their district’s 24/7, 365-day per year performance-based educational system that personalizes coursework in a session called The End of Education as We Know It! A team from Boone County Schools will present Moving Your School - From Good to Great!, explaining the system’s efficiency and effectiveness initiative in partnership with The American Productivity and Quality Center. Eminence Independent Schools leaders (and students) will outline the district’s School on F.I.R.E. (Framework of Innovation for Reinventing Education) Model in a workshop called A Day in the Life of a Next-Gen Student.
KSBA staffers also will put on their presenter hats during some pre-conference sessions April 4. Brad Hughes, member support services and communications director, will be the presenter for several pre-conference trainings, including his media training course; a session on Talking About School Finance To a Non-Financial Audience; and one on Transforming Your Board Meeting Into A District Forum.
Board Team Development Director Kerri Schelling will join her Maryland counterpart for a pre-conference session on Ethics, Board Meetings and the Role of a School Board Member. The session is part of NSBA’s New School Board Member Boot Camp.