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David Karem Award

Board member’s passion for teacher preparation awarded

Kentucky School Advocate
November 2018

By Matt McCarty
Staff writer

Barbourville Independent school board member Jason Reeves has devoted his career to preparing quality teachers for Kentucky’s classrooms.

“There are so many elements that go into building that great teacher, but it has to be a collaborative process,” said Reeves, dean of educational studies and education professor at Union College. “You can't build a great teacher or a great school without everyone taking ownership of that process, everyone being willing to collaborate.”

The Kentucky Board of Education named Jason Reeves, second from right, as the recipient of the David Karem Award

during its Oct. 2 meeting in Frankfort. Presenting the award were, from left, former KBE member and state legislator

David Karem, Commissioner of Education Wayne Lewis and KBE Chairman Hal Heiner.

For his commitment to improving postsecondary programs, Reeves received the David Karem Award from the Kentucky Board of Education at its October meeting. The award, which honors former state board member and state legislator David Karem, is given for outstanding leadership and working with stakeholders to have a positive impact on education.

“Dr. Reeves is a valued member of the state and national teacher education preparation communities,” said KBE Chairman Hal Heiner. “In addition, his volunteer service in support of P-12 education speaks volumes about his dedication to both teachers and learners.”

Reeves graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a plan to become an attorney, but a summer job as a counselor for a community action program in Barbourville led him to higher education.

“Once I started working with kids that were kind of like me, a first-generation college student, I just didn’t turn back,” he said.

Reeves’ commitment to education also inspired him to seek a seat on the Barbourville school board where he attended kindergarten through high school.

For Reeves running for a board seat was “an opportunity to pay back, especially the school system that gave me my start in life and in a career,” he said. “I’ve really enjoyed it and it comes with a learning experience. When you become a school board member, it’s a whole new ballgame.”

Reeves' experience preparing teachers for leadership gives him a unique perspective on P-12 education and being a school board member.

“I’ve always seen the power of education from a teacher-ed perspective in preparing teachers for service in the P-12 field. So, having the opportunity to be on the school board has been really a true honor for me but also a way to see the day-to-day business of what it takes for a school district to be successful,” Reeves said.

As a board member and college educator, he uses his experience to help his district know what colleges are looking for and what skills students need to make the transition. He also understands the importance of dual credit and internships for students.

Being on the school board also helps Union College’s education department, he said.

“If something is going on at Barbourville involving teachers or student growth, assessment or accountability, then I can take that knowledge back to my department and to our faculty and staff and say, ‘Look, this is an issue and a current topic or trend that we need to be sure we’re addressing in how we’re preparing our future teachers,’” he said.

Because of his role at Union, Reeves has seen the difference a great teacher makes to help a student achieve success. Reeves said collaboration and a willingness to listen to new ideas and new perspectives is critical to increased student achievement across the state.

“I don't think you can be successful without willing to be collaborative and willing to look outside your silo,” he said. “Unfortunately, I think the way things are with so many people weighing in on education and not weighing in on it from a collaborative approach, you have a lot of people who have kind of gone into a silo and they’re not looking at big picture. They're not remembering the success that was brought about through strong, productive collaboration.

“I think the school districts who are successful, from that test score perspective, are districts that would tell you it didn't happen in a silo, it happened because they were willing to be collaborative with groups and parents and their teachers and students.”

David Karem Award

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