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About

OUR PROGRAM

Founded in 2003 by social entrepreneur, Rowan Claypool, Teach Kentucky launches the education careers of ambitious college graduates in Louisville, Kentucky’s public schools. The organization has grown from bringing two teacher candidates in its first year to annually bringing a new 40-45 person cohort of aspiring teachers from across the nation to our city. Once they are here, our teachers stay and build their professional and personal lives.

We have been successful because we understand the incredible challenges that face new teachers working in public schools. Teach Kentucky’s community and teacher support network are dedicated to helping all of our recruits succeed. We don’t just recruit you. We get to know you, connect you with other like-minded community members, and support you as you begin an incredibly rewarding career.

OUR TEACHERS REPRESENT OVER 164 SCHOOLS

OUR TEAM

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT

Rowan Claypool

Rowan has spent over 20 years as a serial entrepreneur, creating ways to attract talented people (you?) to Louisville, Kentucky and, in his words, to “change the course of the river in people’s lives and in the cities in which they plant themselves.”

He’s devoted to discovering ways to make his community a better place by whatever means possible and he believes that talented people are the way to do it.

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Bonnie Rhule Baragary

Teacher Support Coordinator

Bonnie is the teacher support coordinator for Teach Kentucky and is excited to be a part of the staff that help support and grow her teaching career. She started with Teach Kentucky in 2016 as a social studies teacher. She taught and was an instructional coach at Robert Frost 6th Grade Academy (now Stuart Academy), as well as a teacher at Southern High School.

Kristen Garner

Fund Development Coordinator

Kristen is the fund development coordinator for Teach Kentucky and looks forward to helping recruit teachers who are passionate about building quality education in Louisville’s public schools. Kristen graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business and Administration and will be completing her MBA from McKendree University in fall 2023.

Max Morley

Recruitment Coordinator

Max Morley is a former teacher and has worked in education policy and political campaigns for over a decade. He earned his Bachelor’s in Political Science and Strategic Communication from the University of Louisville and a Master’s in Public Affairs from the Truman School at the University of Missouri.

Max believes in Teach Kentucky as the premiere opportunity for Louisville’s schools to train, hire, and retain new talent from diverse backgrounds.

OUR BOARD

Carl Williams

Carl L Williams, Sr.

Chair

President/CEO, 20/twenty Strategic Consultants

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bryan-warren

Bryan Warren

Vice Chair

Executive Director, Educational Justice

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Will

Will Coburn

Treasurer

Accounting Manager, ATI Technologies

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Kate Grindon

Kate Grindon, Ph.D.

Secretary

Director of Instruction, Southern High School, JCPS

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Nicole-Adell

Nicole Adell

Principal, Newburg Middle School, JCPS

Bodine

David Bodine

Retired Principal, Jefferson County Public Schools

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John Fendig

Senior Corporate Attorney, LG&E and KU Energy

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Alex Hill

Alex Hill

Director Corporate Development, Brown-Forman Corporation

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Emily-Wilson

Emily Wilson

Success Manager, ThinkCERCA

LOUISVILLE

Voted “Most Compassionate City” and “Most Livable City,” the Louisville area is more than home to the Kentucky Derby, baseball bats and bourbon. The city features its own opera, orchestra, Ballet Company, and the world-renowned Actor’s Theatre. It’s also a hub for indie music, regional and college sports, and has a robust foodie culture, including superb craft breweries and craft distilleries as well as award-winning coffee houses such as Heine Brothers, Quills Coffee and Sunergos Coffee.

Nestled in the Ohio River Valley and blessed with four seasons, a string of Olmsted parks and splendid architecture, including the nation’s largest Victorian preservation district, Louisville is also a beautiful place to call home.

Intrigued? Learn more about our fabulous city and why you should Live In Lou.

Here are a few of the recognitions Louisville has received just this year:

  • One of the top “Creative Cities for 20-Somethings” byPolicyMic.com
  • One of the “Best Entrepreneurial Cities” by entrepreneur.com
  • America’s Breakout Cities for 2014 by CNNMoney
  • World’s Top 10 Food Cities by National Geographic
  • Top 10 “Bike-Friendly City” by USA Today
  • A Top 20 “City With Economic Momentum” by NewGeography.com
  • Eighth on the list of “Best Towns in America” by Outside Magazine
  • Eighth “Most Affordable City in the U.S.” by Forbes
  • “Top 10 Cities for Being a Homeowner” by NerdWallet.com

TEACH KENTUCKY COMMUNITY

Teach Kentucky is known for its community. It’s one of the primary reasons our teachers thrive in Louisville. Our veteran teachers are committed to helping our newer cohort members. Oftentimes, this leads to innovative collaboration and long-lasting friendships.

Teach Kentucky staff and community supporters enthusiastically introduce new teachers to everything that the city has to offer. From an exciting restaurant and nightlife scene to volunteer opportunities to festivals and plays, we work hard to show teachers how much our city has to offer, so that it feels like home.

TEACHER SUPPORT

We know that better preparation means a better teaching experience for you and a better learning experience for students. We also understand that navigating your first year of teaching is challenging on many levels. To ensure that our new teachers are fully supported and successful during their entry into the classroom, we’ve built components into our program that distinguish us from other teacher recruitment organizations in the level of support they provide, including:

  • An eight-week Summer Institute, which includes experience teaching students and one-on-one guidance from our veteran teachers, to help you prepare and refine techniques before that first day in the classroom.
  • A veteran teacher on staff who is dedicated to providing ongoing in-school support to our new teachers.
  • A Teach Kentucky peer subject matter mentor.
  • University and school district mentors.
  • A tight-knit community focused on welcoming and supporting your needs as a new teacher.

SUMMER INSTITUTE

Teach Kentucky wants you to excel as a teacher in the classroom. Once you are accepted into our program, we provide you with a eight-week summer teacher preparation program that complements your graduate school courses.

Teach Kentucky’s Summer Institute begins in early June and ends in late July. New recruits attend 2.5 hours of morning classes Monday through Thursday. Veteran teachers and retired administrators lead activities focused on a wide range of important topics, including but not limited to:

  • classroom management
  • instructional techniques
  • setting up your classroom
  • navigating the school system

Don’t worry, you won’t be bored. Our veteran teachers and staff make sure that the Summer Institute keeps you busy and engaged. It’s not all work and no play. Impromptu social gatherings throughout the summer give you the chance to kick back, relax, and get to know the Teach Kentucky community better.

UPDATES/NEWS

March Recruitment Weekend Recap

The March Recruitment weekend for Teach Kentucky came to a close with a successful and inspiring event. This event welcomed 10 candidates from local and national backgrounds, representing various colleges such as Sarah Lawrence, Bellarmine University, Colorado College, Valparaiso College, Ohio State University, Louisiana Tech, University of Louisville, and University of Mississippi. The new teacher […]

January Recruitment Weekend Roundup

Teach Kentucky recently concluded its January recruiting weekend, hosting a diverse group of 13 candidates with aspirations to become educators in various fields. The event was a great success, bringing together candidates from both local universities and those from out of state. Candidate Overview Geographic Diversity: The 13 candidates included 9 local participants and 4 […]

Introducing Teach Kentucky’s Mid-Year Start Teachers: A New Wave of Educators

When we think about Back to School time, August and September usually come to mind. However, Teach Kentucky is proud to announce a remarkable group of new teachers who will be embarking on their education careers in the middle of the academic year. We extend a warm welcome to Branden McMichael, Kristen Miller, Danielle Moreau, […]

RETIRED TEACHER ADVOCATES

Retired Teacher Advocates (RTAs) are a unique component of Teach Kentucky’s support system. All new teachers are matched and paired with a RTA, who provides another level of emotional support and guidance. RTA mentors frequently have held positions in schools as teachers and administrators. It’s not unusual for RTAs and their mentees to share meals, have coffee dates to catch up, and celebrate both big and small professional milestones.