State’s Teachers Advisory Council names 14 new members

FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Education Commissioner Jason E. Glass announced 14 Kentucky public school educators have been named to the Kentucky Department of Education’s Teachers Advisory Council (TAC).

The council is meant to provide the education commissioner with direct feedback from classrooms and help work on the state’s educational landscape. The TAC advises the commissioner on educational priorities so Kentucky students are well-prepared for the next stages of their lives.

“The voices of our teachers are crucial as we work to shape the future of education here in Kentucky,” Glass said. “Too often teachers are left out of decision-making that directly impacts them and their classrooms. I believe in the voices of our educators and I look forward to continue working alongside this council to form a stronger education system for our state.”

New TAC members include:

• Brook Bartrug, Social Studies and Math, Russell County Middle School
• Misty Bivens, Agriculture, LaRue County High School
• Susan Cintra, English, Madison Central High School (Madison County)
• Matthew Haynes, Machine Tool and Diesel, Southern High School (Jefferson County)
• Kaysin Higgins, First Grade, North Calloway Elementary (Calloway County)
• Rhea Isenberg, Potter Gray Elementary (Bowling Green Independent)
• April Jackson, Elizabethtown Independent
• Amanda Klare, Fourth Grade, Beechwood Elementary (Beechwood Independent)
• Amy Leasgang, Math, Mt. Washington Middle School, (Bullitt County)
• Charlene Martin, English, Paintsville High School (Paintsville Independent)
• Jane Modlin, Theatre and Arts and Humanities, Paul G. Blazer High School (Ashland Independent)
• Jamaal Stiles, Science and Math, Bloomfield Middle School (Nelson County)
• Scott Osborn, English, Lawrence County High School
• Waide Williams, Special Education, Henderson County High School

The 14 new members join 11 returning members, including:

• Angela Beavin, Fifth Grade, Peaks Mill Elementary (Franklin County)
• Chanda Britt, Alternate Assessment, Kentucky School for the Deaf
• Tiffany Dunn, English as a Second Language, Lassiter Middle School (Jefferson County)
• Allen Hensley, Science, Carter G. Woodson Academy (Fayette County)
• Jennifer Howard, Math, Magoffin County High School
• Quentin Johnson, English, Tates Creek High School (Fayette County)
• Bo Mullins, Kentucky School for the Blind
• Abigail Nash,  English, Mercer County Senior High School
• Beverly Rutledge, Prichard Elementary (Carter County)
• Kim Saylor, Fourth Grade, Middlesboro Elementary (Middlesboro Independent)
• Taylor Sullivan, Science, Larry A. Ryle High School (Boone County)

Around 100 teachers across the state applied for a spot on the TAC. Applications were reviewed by a screening committee and prioritized National Board Certification, diverse content and specialty areas and categorizing applicants geographically to ensure representation from the 12 regions of the state.

The council’s next meeting on June 17 will mark the new members’ start of their three-year term.