5 Things I've Learned In My New Job

Barbara Bellissimo,
The Fund's Executive Director

I became the new executive director of The Fund for Transforming Education in Kentucky (The Fund), and moved to Louisville a little over three months ago. I came to The Fund from San Francisco, where I spent several years working to recruit resources to help transform San Francisco’s public education system.

In the short time I’ve been in my new role, I’ve learned a great deal. Most notably, these five:

1. Kentucky likes to be first. Kentucky was the first state to adopt widespread public education reform. The Commonwealth passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) in 1990—with a unique coalition of support from the education, government and business communities. Kentucky was the first state to adopt the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts and Math. It was also the first state to assess students based on CCSS.
2. Kentuckians are interested in public education. Almost every day, there is a news story about what’s going on in public education in Kentucky. Whether it’s a reporter covering the first day of school or a press conference announcing the latest student achievement results, Kentuckians most likely will hear something about public education every day.
3. Kentucky educators and administrators put students first. You may think this is a given, but believe me, it’s not. Kentucky is the first jurisdiction in which I’ve worked where students are at the center of practically every conversation about public education. Whether I am talking with the Commissioner and his team, members of The Fund’s board, teachers and principals, philanthropists, or other nonprofits working in this space, the conversation begins with students and how best to serve them and moves on to how adults can make it happen.
4. Kentuckians work together. Starting with the passage of KERA in 1990, there is a history of the business community joining with educators, legislators and philanthropists to move Kentucky’s education reform forward.
5. Kentuckians are low key. Given all of the above, one would think that Kentucky would be seen as a national leader in public education reform. I’m not quite sure why we have such trouble tooting our own horn, but I hope to help remedy that in the coming months, so we can attract even more resources and expertise to continue our work.

I am excited and honored to add my voice and efforts to increase investments in innovation and excellence to ensure every one of our students is prepared for college, career and life as a productive citizen. Kentucky’s future depends on it.