Beech Tree News Network

On Tuesday, April 18, the Butler County Board of Education met in regular session. The meeting was held in the Butler County High School Auditorium due to renovations taking place at the Early Childhood Training Center.

At the meeting there were several Butler County Schools staff recognized for impressive accomplishments. Jazmin Reynolds, English-Language Arts Teacher at BCHS; Scott Hurt, ELL (English Language Learner) Teacher at BCMS; and Kassie Decker, art teacher at NBES were recognized for being winners of the Campbellsville University 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award. According to the Campbellsville University Website, “Campbellsville University began the Excellence in Teaching Award Program in 1987 with assistance from Mr. Earl Aaron and the Ward, Cundiff, and Aaron Memorial Fund. The purpose of the program is to recognize the quality teaching and learning taking place in the school systems throughout Kentucky...Through the awards program, Campbellsville University presents certificates to teachers in each grade level (preschool/elementary, middle grades, and high school) as selected by their school districts. Over 3,000 teachers have been honored since the program’s inception.” The trio will be recognized at a program held on May 13th.

BCHS: Jazmin Reynolds, NBES: Kassie Decker, Superintendent Robert Tuck     Not pictured: BCMS: Scott Hurt

Also recognized were BCHS Teachers Kayla Spurgeon, Madison Staton, and Jennifer Davis; and MES Teachers Linda Amos, Megan Donaldson, Tonya Hampton, Jill Morris, and Rebecca Otey as GRREC ED Rank Change Program Graduates.

BCHS: Madison Staton, Superintendent Robert Tuck    Not Pictured, Jennifer Davis and Kayla Spurgeon

MES: Jill Morris, Rebecca Otey, Tonya Hampton, Megan Donaldson, Linda Amos, Superintendent Robert Tuck

Megan Donaldson, teacher at Morgantown Elementary described the process: “When we heard about the opportunity presented by GRREC Ed we were both excited and hesitant to move forward. After some discussion, we realized we were ready for additional/new learning and knew we could finish the rank change together. Five teachers total signed up from Morgantown Elementary. Four of us (Amos, Donaldson, Hampton, Otey) were able to work toward the same capstone project over the course of two years. We were a small part of the first cohorts to go through this GRREC Ed program so there were some things to figure out as we moved forward. Often changes were made weekly and we literally felt as if we were building the plane as we flew it. However, with much grace from both sides (both facilitators and cohort members), I can proudly say we successfully completed our capstone project. The four of us created a website for multisensory phonics instruction that directly aligns with our Recipe for Reading phonics curriculum at MES. While at times the days seemed long, we are all very glad to have been given the opportunity to participate and complete our rank change through GRREC ED.”

Jennifer Davis, Butler County High School teacher said, “For years I have tried to decide what to get my Rank I with and I just never seemed to find the best fit.  When the opportunity arose with GRREC in STEM leadership, I knew I had found it.  The chance to go through the program alongside my department allowed us to share our ideas and turn them into great projects.  We have led professional developments together here at home, but also in Hardin and Warren Counties.  We have since hosted multiple events with the STEAM bus and our students, and have plans for many more in the future.  These all came to fruition from the knowledge we gained in this program and the support we received from GRREC and our local administration.”