Thoughts on Transforming Education in Kentucky

ECET2 KY—Your Voice Matters!

By: Karen Handlos

ECET2 stands for Elevating and Celebrating Effective Teaching and Teachers. The idea was borne out of a desire of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to provide a forum for exceptional teachers to learn from each other and celebrate the teaching profession.

These national convenings had two primary goals:

* To inspire and celebrate teachers

* To help teachers become more effective leaders inside and outside their     schools, 
specifically around the kinds of instructional shifts needed to achieve the Common Core State Standards.

Several Kentucky teachers have had the opportunity to attend these national conferences and have come back with the desire to celebrate and elevate their colleagues across the Commonwealth.  On Saturday, January 25, 2014, The Fund had the opportunity to bring this dream to a reality for about 40 outstanding teachers. It was a day filled with singing and shout outs, inspirational and uplifting teacher stories, and engaging and challenging discussions to empower teachers within their profession. 

Master of Ceremonies, Teacher--Mickey Campbell

Here are some thoughts from a few of the attendees:

“The day was so empowering. I left feeling like I had a more defined idea of what I wanted my teaching and leadership to look like.  New goals were realized, new friendships were made, and most importantly, I realized how much more there was that Kentucky had to offer its students.” 
--Robin Ratliff

“The most rewarding times were sitting in the colleague circles and watching teachers encourage one another. My teacher soul was fed as I watched connections being formed.”     
--Sherri McPherson

“Thank you for the great opportunity yesterday! I am pumped to go back to school.”  “The Woodford County contingent of ECET2 KY is working on trying to get an ECET2 KY going in our district.”     
--Melody Hamilton

The planning team did an incredible job in leading the day’s events with the attendees leaving excited and motivated! Many have already shared their excitement in planning for next year’s event.  If you want to learn more from the voices that matter check out some blog posts and follow the Twitter feed (#ECET2KY) here.