Monthly Newsletter

March 2024

Welcome to the United We Learn Council monthly newsletter!

As the United We Learn initiative progresses, we strive to be transparent with our communication to the full council and the public regarding our ongoing endeavors. This newsletter will offer high-level coverage of the council's activities and features introductions to our council members. More information about the annual fall and spring convenings, as well as access to recorded meetings, can be found on our official webpage.

Message From Council Vice Chair

Penny Christian

Happy March!

No doubt we are all experiencing the early signs of spring: budding flowers, green grass, the sounds of laughing children playing, runny noses, red eyes and sneezing. Yep, spring has indeed sprung!

As our moods get a little lighter and our energy increases, I hope that all our council members are feeling the anticipation of the April convening. The opportunity to work together in person is always exciting. The working groups are all prepared to dive in and share ideas, successes and yes, even challenges. For this council, it is all about the kids.

So, as you walk around your neighborhood and stop to smell the occasional bud, I hope all members are ready to join together to cultivate and grow our own blooms. The children of the Commonwealth are waiting to blossom.

Updates from the Council

Local Laboratories of Learning (L3) - March 6 Meeting

Exciting updates from the Local Laboratories of Learning (L3s) in Kentucky! On March 6, L3 teams gathered in Frankfort to share their innovative approaches to local accountability prototypes, marking a key milestone in our mission to transform education in Kentucky. This initiative, a collaboration between the Kentucky Department of Education, the Center for Innovation in Education and the University of Kentucky's Center for Next Generation Leadership, involves 18 diverse communities working on co-creating local assessment and accountability systems since fall 2021.

The L3s, using design principles from the Kentucky United We Learn Council’s Accelerating Innovation Committee, shared their prototypes to reimagine assessment and accountability, focusing on prioritizing vibrant learning experiences, valuing local context and expertise, and continuously improving within state policy context. This collaborative session highlighted the power of shared learning and co-creation to meet the unique needs of each community.

As we advance, L3 teams will prepare one-pagers summarizing their insights, trends, and areas needing support, aiding in our ongoing transformation efforts. This March 6 event celebrated our collective dedication to innovation and a brighter future for education in Kentucky.

Accelerating Innovation (AI) Committee

The AI Committee met in-person on March 6. Members had the opportunity to reflect on takeaways from the L3 meeting presentations and engage in deeper conversations with L3 members.

The Menu of Options was revisited, and AI members shared key ideas, emerging thoughts and questions. Working groups for the April Kentucky United We Learn meeting were introduced and members provided feedback on how the working groups will lead to the next steps for the committee.

The next AI Committee meeting will be held during the Kentucky United We Learn convening on April 25-26.

Bold New Future (BNF) Committee

Vibrant Learning Experiences (VLE) Committee

Meet the Council Members

Whitney Stevenson

Committee: Bold New Future

Whitney Stevenson is the director of early childhood for Fayette County Public Schools. In this role, she serves as the district preschool program coordinator for state-funded preschool and is charged with developing and implementing innovative approaches addressing school readiness across the community. Stevenson is also a founding member of the Fayette County community initiative, First 5 Lex, and continues to work with community partners in enhancing early childhood educational experiences for children and families. Stevenson currently serves as the chair for the Kentucky Department of Education Preschool Coordinator Advisory Group.

Travis Hamby

Committee: Vibrant Learning Experiences

Travis Hamby is living his lifelong dream of being an educator. He is in his 14th year as a school district superintendent, serving in that capacity in Allen County Schools since 2019. Today, Hamby's passion for transforming the learning experience for students is fueled, in part, by his three boys, ages 22, 16 and 14. He aspires to create a learning environment and experiences where students are deeply engaged in the learning process; the natural curiosity students possess is embraced; and each student discovers their unique gifts and talents. Hamby earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master's of education in school administration from Murray State University. Before becoming superintendent, he had the opportunity to serve Kentucky students in various roles over his 27-year career, as a middle and high school math teacher, assistant middle school principal, elementary school principal and assistant superintendent.

Trever Smith

Committee: Accelerating Innovation

Trever Smith is a freshman at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where he is majoring in history (teaching) and is an active member of the EKU Honors program. With an internship at the Harrison County Board of Education under his belt, Smith is currently engaged as a digital engagement ambassador on EKU's campus. Passionate about education, he aspires to become an educator and ultimately aims to serve as a superintendent.

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