Weekly Leadership Connection

“A grateful perspective brings happiness and abundance into a person's life.”

Andy Andrews

It is hard to believe we are already approaching Thanksgiving. This year has been remarkable. Yesterday, our teachers dedicated the day to reviewing pacing guides and working collaboratively within their professional learning groups. The opportunity to come together as a district is truly invaluable. They also participated in a Zoom learning session on School AI. Artificial Intelligence is now a significant tool in education, and leveraging this technology to enhance student achievement is crucial. I am deeply appreciative of all our teachers and instructional assistants who give their utmost for the benefit of our students. Several SCPS teachers did "externships" with our community and industrial partners. They had the opportunity to see firsthand the career opportunities offered to our future graduates. Additionally, I had the opportunity to meet with our library/media specialist, sharing my vision of the library and its vital role within the school community. We envision our media centers as places where students can explore creativity, feel empowered to dream, and begin to see the relevance of their classroom learning.

teachers with orange vests on at AMCOR — Teachers visited AMCOR for an externship.

david peirce leading pd — David Peirce, a teacher leader at WMS, leads a Professional Development session.

Check out some of the learning that is happening in our district.

student writing in a notebook — MCMS student works on her writing skills.

students sitting on ground in front of the rain trailer — The USDA-Kentucky Natural Resources Conservation Services brought their rain trailer for the 4th Grade classes at Southside to experience erosion and rain run-off with different materials. Thank you for helping us learn in a unique way.

7th graders lined up in front of the reflective bean in chicago — 7th graders from WMS posed in front of the bean in Chicago for their Night at the Museum trip this past weekend.

Our inspired leaderships comes in many forms in Shelby County Public Schools.

teachers from across the state with KDE people — Brooke Coffman, teacher at East Middle School, is one of 21 educators across the state who will serve as a Go Teach KY Ambassador for the Kentucky Department of Education. The mission of GoTeachKY is to ensure that all students across the Commonwealth have equitable access to effective educators. GoTeachKY seeks to recruit the next generation of teachers in Kentucky, helping remedy the critical teacher shortage that affects every state in the U.S. Ambassadors in the GoTeachKY initiative have three main goals: Communicate with and inspire students in high school and college to consider teaching as a career. Communicate with potential and current teachers to promote the rewards and opportunities associated with a career in teaching. Support and promote the central focus areas, programs and organizations of GoTeachKY, such as Educators Rising Kentucky and the Teaching and Learning career pathway. Ambassadors were selected from a pool of applicants from across the state who answered the call for educators interested in supporting the initiative and helping promote the teaching profession.

October was Principals Month! We are proud of the leadership that our principal display daily. They provide a positive energy for our schools and lead our teachers and our staff to serve our students with pride.

Top Row: Dr. Carla Kent (SCHS); Ben Roberts (Shelby Academy); Nate Jebsen (MLCHS); Madelyn Sterrett (MCMS); Dr. Sara Meadway (SCATC);

Second Row: Seth Green (Wright); Shannon Pfaff (Southside); Leslie Springston (Simpsonville); Ann Louise McMinn (Painted Stone); Ryan Allan (East Middle School)

Third Row: Artavia Acklin (West Middle School); JJ Black (Heritage); Amy Wells (Clear Creek); Emily Swindler (Northside Early Childhood Center)

Thanks for all you do for Shelby County! #weareshelbyinspired

Dr. Matthews met with the Wright Elementary Superintendent's Student Advisory Committee last week. He is visiting each elementary school to hear advice from students and to teach leadership skills.

Middle and High School students meet at Central Office with Dr. Matthews. Dr. Adam Hicks, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, also attends to meet with students.