Starting the School Year with Purpose: How AdvanceKentucky Supports Teachers and School Leaders
Updated: 5 days ago
AdvanceKentucky, an initiative of the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, recently kicked off the school year by bringing educators, mentors and school leaders together at the Galt House in Louisville for two distinct but complementary events: College Readiness Program Launch Day and Access to Algebra Leader Assembly.
Launch Day welcomed new and returning Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-credit teachers, while Leader Assembly brought together school leadership teams from across Kentucky. Together, these events helped participants build connections, understand program expectations and access the resources needed to support students throughout the school year.
Building the Foundation at Launch Day
Launch Day serves as the College Readiness Program's first in-person gathering of the year for AP and dual-credit teachers and their mentors. For first-time teachers, the event offers an opportunity to meet program leadership and network with other educators in their fields. Returning teachers can reconnect with their mentors and discuss how they can support one another in the year ahead.
Launch Day is to make sure teachers know what they have access to and how they are going to be supported. - Stephanie Carter, College Readiness Program Lead and English and Capstone Director
This year, approximately 100 teachers and 20 mentors attended Launch Day. Participants learned about program expectations, funding opportunities, professional development workshops, record-keeping requirements and key deadlines for the year.
The College Readiness Program team also designed content-specific breakout sessions where teachers explored instructional resources and model lessons they could immediately apply in their classrooms, helping translate program support into practical teaching strategies.
Through a new partnership with GEAR UP Kentucky, AdvanceKentucky recently expanded its support to dual-credit teachers, tailoring breakout sessions to their specific needs. Carter described the partnership as a significant development for the program, creating new opportunities to support educators and strengthen college readiness across Kentucky.
Launch Day Through a Mentor's Perspective
For Lisa Clarke, a retired Anderson County educator and longtime AdvanceKentucky advocate, Launch Day offered an opportunity to connect with the teachers she supports while reflecting on the resources that shaped her own teaching experience.
Clarke was part of the first cohort of schools to partner with AdvanceKentucky. Today, she serves as a consultant for the College Readiness Program, facilitating AP English Literature Exam Prep Sessions for students.
I think the teachers who get involved with AdvanceKentucky should take advantage of the opportunities provided. I knew we did when we were the first schools involved. It changed my teaching so much. - Lisa Clarke, AP Literature Mentor and Longtime AdvanceKentucky Advocate
For returning teachers and mentors, Clarke described Launch Day as "a nice refresher" that helps them revisit important dates, reconnect with colleagues and prepare for what comes ahead.
Leader Assembly Aligns School Teams
While Launch Day focused on supporting AP and dual-credit teachers, Access to Algebra's annual Leader Assembly brought together principals, testing coordinators and lead math teachers from participating middle schools across Kentucky.
This year, 120 representatives from 44 schools attended in-person, while four schools in their third year of the program participated virtually.
Leader Assembly opened with a celebration of participating schools' progress and accomplishments over the past year, recognizing not only final outcomes but also the milestones achieved along the way.
The Access to Algebra leadership team recognized administrators, teachers, schools and districts for achievements in academic growth and performance, program implementation and leadership. Honorees included Dr. Amy Allen-Compton for expanding program involvement across her district, Jena Bochicchio for exemplary leadership, Brady Keehn for teaching excellence, Paintsville Independent for its program commitment and notable PSAT results, Bullitt and Marion County Schools for outstanding student achievement and Misty Stanley for inspiring fellow teachers.
Following the opening session, attendees rotated through breakout sessions tailored to their roles within their school teams. Sessions covered PSAT 8/9 information, school performance data, vertical teaming and scheduling, program handbooks and deadlines, enrollment submissions and instructional supply guidelines.
The Access to Algebra leadership team designed these sessions to help school teams feel confident and prepared to support their teachers, students and one another in the year ahead.
For Annette Williams, AdvanceKentucky's director of Access to Algebra, this year's Leader Assembly highlighted the program's continued growth and the importance of adapting events to meet the needs of participating schools.
Looking Ahead
Launch Day and Leader Assembly provided more than an introduction to the school year. Both events helped establish the relationships, expectations and resources that will guide participating educators and school leaders in the months ahead.
From mentorship and classroom visits to data reviews and ongoing program guidance, AdvanceKentucky remains committed to helping its educational partners feel prepared, connected and supported as they expand opportunities for students across Kentucky.
Have questions or want to learn more? Explore AdvanceKentucky's programs.
