Voices from the Classroom: A message for Class of 2022, ‘Believe in who you are, where you come from’
By Chris Wright
Dayton High School
As the Assistant Principal at Dayton High School, I have the opportunity to end each of our school days by delivering our afternoon announcements. Essentially, I can deliver any message I want to end our day and I go with “believe in who you are and where you come from.”
Chris Wright and his son
Truth be told, I have borrowed and combined two different phrases...
Voices from the Classroom: Legacy of Mary Ellen Lucas lives on in hearts, minds of those she touched
By Amanda Klare
Beechwood Elementary School
This past Friday, I found out that Mrs. Mary Ellen Lucas had passed away at the age of 96. As I read her obituary, I learned all the details about her impressive contributions to public education. After retiring with over 40 years of teaching experience, she then went on to teach at Northern Kentucky University and even earned her doctorate in education.
Though...
Voices from the Classroom: Amelia Brown believes in #TellingOurStoryKY and the power of public schools
The power of public schools is evident in strong commitments from our community.
The power of public schools is evident in doing whatever it takes for ALL students.
The power of public schools is evident in the resilience of our students.
These are just a few examples of statements that are currently flooding social media all over the state of Kentucky.
In the midst of a worldwide health crisis, economic...
Voices from the Classroom: Beechwood third grader, Ellie Groene, says farewell 2020 and welcome 2021
Hello, 2021!
I am so excited to meet you.
I know that 2021 will be the best year yet.
Ellie Groene
2020 was a hard year for all of us. It wasn’t all bad though. If I think about everything I still had instead of what I missed, there was really a lot of good, too.
I really missed being at school, but I still got to learn at home. Even though I didn’t get to see them in person much, I still got...
Voices from the Classroom: Members of the Class of 2020 get a chance to have their say; they speak out
By Amanda Klare
Beechwood Elementary School
Since March, we have seen our local schools and communities rally around the Class of 2020. We’ve all driven past the signs in the front yards to recognize the seniors. We’ve all posted our own senior pictures with big hair in the 80s to the unforgivable 90s style trends from many moons ago to show support for them.
What we haven’t been able to do though...
Voices from the Classroom: From every possible perspective, there’s no way to thank teachers enough
By Chris Wright
Dayton High School
The 2019-20 school year, in many ways, has felt like an out-of-body experience to me. For the past 11 years, the only role that I held in P-12 education has been teacher. This year witnessed a personal dramatic shift as I moved into the roles of parent and administrator.
With this, my perspective on teaching has shifted dramatically. I have always been proud to...
Voices from the Classroom: A letter to the Class of 2020 — we are hurting with all of you
Dear Class of 2020,
I’ve been thinking about you a lot lately. The truth is, we have all been thinking about you a lot lately. Every time I open my Facebook I see pictures of senior years past, younger faces put there as a tribute by the adults who hope to honor you. Every time I open Instagram, I see your pictures, read your bios, celebrate the many victories you have had thus far and the many more...
Voices from the Classroom: Dayton Independent Schools on mission — be inspired by these teachers
By Chris Wright
Dayton High School
This school year Dayton Independent Schools are “On A Mission!” At our staff opening day, Dayton Superintendent Jay Brewer challenged every teacher in the district to articulate their mission, or their “why” they teach, in a personal mission statement of eight words or less.
As Assistant Principal of Dayton High School, I have had the opportunity to review...
Voices from the Classroom: This is a happy voice about a new challenge as an assistant principal
I am fired up about joining the team at Dayton High School. I am incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to serve as Dayton’s next assistant principal.
I’ve long admired Dayton Independent School District’s mission: to Inspire, Engage, and Grow each of our students. In my experience, being able to do these three things is a recipe for student success. What is striking to me though is the...
Voices from the Classroom: First grade teacher says ‘Hitting the same nail, day after day’ is worth it
By Casey Gesenhues
Woodfill Elementary School
It was your typical Tuesday. My morning had already consisted of corralling my two children downstairs after having a debate regarding attire, making breakfast for the three of us, packing two lunches complete with a joke and an “I love you!” note, and ensuring everyone left the house with their teeth brushed (because we have our priorities straight...
Voices from the Classroom: Lessons in coaching (a side of teaching) and fatherhood — dream crazier
By Chris Wright
Ludlow High School
For the past month or so, I have had a serious case of writer’s block. I have been attempting to write a piece for “Voices from the Classroom” that shows the “other side” of the educator profession for so many of us, the role of coach.
Chris Wright and his wife, Ashley
I wanted to explain my perspective on coaching and what I hope my athletes take away from...
Voices from the Classroom: Every child deserves a champion and I mean to pay it forward
By Allison Gable
Holmes Middle School
Teachers are all asked the same questions from people: Why did you become a teacher? or Why don’t you do something that pays more?
For me, it’s simple: kids deserve it. Kids deserve teachers in their classrooms who not only care about them as a student but them as a person. Kids deserve a CHAMPION.
Looking back at my twelve years of school prior to college,...
Voices from the Classroom: The ‘what ifs’ are important — and some gifts are more than just a gift
By Amanda Klare
Beechwood Elementary School
A few weeks ago, John Lewis and Partners released one of the most beautiful commercials
I’ve ever seen. As the commercial starts, the now 71-year-old Elton John sits at his childhood piano and starts playing his first iconic hit, “Your Song.” We’re able to go backwards on his musical journey with him to see where it all began with his mother and grandmother...
Voices from the Classroom: NKY educators read same book, collaborate on a masterpiece
By Amelia Brown
NKY Cooperative for Educational Services
“Belief is the ignition for inspiration and the foundation for dreams.”
I read those words this past summer as I was halfway through a new book: The Pepper Effect: Tap into the Magic of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation by Sean Gaillard.
Wow. Yes.
The book aims to energize educators to improve upon their school’s culture and...
Voices from the Classroom: Ludlow High School junior reflects on going to WKU’s Gatton Academy
By Grace McClurg
Ludlow High School/Gatton Academy
During the past few weeks, my living room has become an entwinement of both my past and future. Elementary school photos look down on boxes of bedding intended for my new life at Gatton Academy. I will be attending Gatton this fall, an early college entrance program where students live and take classes at Western
Kentucky University’s campus. As...
