Kentucky School Advocate
December 2020

In Conversation With features an interview between a leader or figure involved in public education and a representative of the Kentucky School Advocate. Amy Razor is executive director of the Northern Kentucky Cooperative for Educational Services (NKCES). Earlier this year, she was named president of the Kentucky Association of Education Cooperatives (KAEC). Here, she talks about the work of cooperatives and how her 28 years in education, where she has also been a teacher, instructional coach, principal and assistant superintendent, serves her in these roles.

Q. You were recently named president of KAEC. What does that role entail?

A. I’ve been involved in KAEC for six years. This year, we have four new co-op directors coming on board; now, overnight, I’m the experienced one.

Like everything, KAEC is evolving. We are looking at how, as a united voice as cooperatives, we can tell our story for public schools. How can we work together to shine a brighter light on the great things happening in our school districts? We discussed how can we help each other be better together to help our districts. We are working on a website so we can share information. For example, one co-op might have a professional learning opportunity that all of us can take part in so that we would be able to build professional learning but also save on resources.

Q. There are eight educational cooperatives across the Commonwealth. What services do educational cooperatives provide to member districts?  

A. We each do different things. Cooperatives are developed by and to serve their region, so what each cooperative does looks unique.

Q. Even though co-ops do different things, are some services universal?  

A. All co-ops work in some fashion to deliver professional learning. Here at NKCES, we do a lot with mindfulness and social-emotional learning; another co-op might do more in transition readiness. The topics might be different, but we all deliver professional learning. The other common service is purchasing – we look at how we can purchase in quantities to get bulk prices. Purchasing was the core of cooperatives.

Q. But through the KAEC, and other means, all the cooperatives work together as well, don’t they?

A. All co-ops are unique in how they personalize their services but all are the same in that the goal is to serve our districts. We all work with our districts to grow and learn from each other and open doors. Ten to 15 years ago it was easier to stay inside your doors, but now we need each other more. The political climate in the last four years drove us to work together for a united voice, as well as the need for more funding and the stressors of living through a pandemic. We are doing an incredible job of jumping on calls together. As co-op directors we can say, “Here’s a problem we have statewide. Let’s get a few of our board members, who are superintendents, on a call, problem-solve and come up with a solution.” Then superintendents can take the solution to their board and suggest it. We aren’t mandating anything, but it is a great resource because it gives districts a template to go from.

Q. You’ve seen the value of strengthening relationships beyond district borders.

A. Yes. I saw an example of that recently. Teachers from our region bundled up and sat outside in our parking lot for an improv class that the Carnegie Center, though a Kennedy Center grant, gave to teach them strategies to use in the classroom. It strengthened bonds to make our region borderless. That is where the learning becomes powerful and it is an important part of the work to create those relationships early on. We have a new teacher network that brings young teachers together so they are meeting people from year one and building relationships outside their district walls. In my years of teaching, I had great relationships within the district but I also grew so much from relationships outside the district.

Q. Has the role of educational cooperatives changed or expanded during the coronavirus pandemic?

NKCES Execuitve Director Amy Razor, far right, listens as Kevin Brown, then-interim education commissioner, gives an update to the co-op.

 

A.  I can speak to what has happened here at NKCES. Before the pandemic, we had had training rooms overflowing with people. That came to a screeching halt. We had to redesign our business plan overnight.

We put together professional development resources that were shared online quickly, then that evolved to online classes. In February, before the pandemic, we had started some online courses and had 100 people taking them. When the pandemic hit we responded quickly and delivered free online classes to all educators and staff – superintendents, special ed directors, bus drivers. As of mid-November, we have had 20,000 completers of our online classes. Most were in our region but some were outside of it and a few were from other states. After we did some parent panels, we put together a resource guide. Now we are making a parent kit with the help of our alternative school. We have done virtual calls with superintendents to problem solve.

We already had a lot of these things in place before the pandemic; we had a great foundation we could make stronger. Now we can just lift it up higher and develop richer courses. Our human capacity has been a silver lining through the pandemic. Maybe co-op directors wouldn’t be so close if not for the pandemic and these online classes.

Q. Tell us about some of the initiatives that co-ops are working on together, as the KAEC, this year?

A. At our retreat earlier this year we met with representatives of the “K” groups, education-related associations like KSBA and KASS, the superintendents’ association. They have always reported at our meetings but now we are trying to work together. We are all working on a campaign – KSBA is helping a lot with it – that we hope to release in January. It is a positive campaign that will shine a light on all the great things happening in public schools. If we all have the same message and use the same language, that could empower the work we do for all kids in Kentucky. It will make the message louder, stronger and more united for all kids.

Q. You were an assistant superintendent in Pendleton County. How does leading a district differ from leading a co-op?

A. I spent most of my career – 20 years – in Campbell County. I feel that at the co-op, the variety of experiences and the diverse audiences I’ve served is what I can go back to and rely on. Our goal is to serve and give as much as we can to the districts. When I think about the different roles I have had, I realize it is helpful to see through all those lenses. I don’t ever want to lose the heart of a teacher. If I lose that, I don’t need to be in this chair. One way we stay connected to our educators is through professional learning groups. We have groups for librarians, principals, PE teachers – about 15 groups now. We have a connector here who helps us keep in touch with the groups, and talks to them about what they need. Our connector calls have been busier than ever.

Q. Why did you decide to become an educator?  

A. Serving has always been part of my heart. I started teaching elementary school; a big part of my passion has been teaching reading. If you love kids and build those relationships you can get them to do anything. Having the Regional School Programs here has been helpful. It would be hard for me not to have kids here.

Q. Speaking of the school, running an alternative school is unique to your co-op isn’t it? Can you tell me more about your Regional School Programs?  

A. We wanted to make it a high-level learning environment for kids who needed an alternative place to learn. We have a dynamic principal and team and our school has been designated as a distinguished alternative school. An advisory board with representatives from participating districts in the region set the guidelines and we run the school. What has made it so successful is the districts taking ownership. We have from 35 to 50 kids in the program from kindergarten through high school. The districts that participate transport their kids; some of the schools do have their own alternative schools but send some students here because they need what we have here. There is a focus on trauma-informed and social-emotional learning. We have yoga, a trauma-informed counselor and a resource officer to not just ensure safety but to build relationships. It is a proactive approach to meet kids’ needs. We do backpack meals through a church partnership every Friday; we have a resource room with clothing if they need it. At Thanksgiving, they take meals to every family. Those are the things that reach kids and families.