UK Grad Named 2016
Kentucky Teacher of the Year
A two-time graduate of the University of Kentucky
College of Education, Ashley Lamb-Sinclair is the
2016 Kentucky Teacher of the Year.
Lamb-Sinclair received $10,000 and a
commemorative crystal-glass bowl. In addition,
the Kentucky Department of Education provided
a sabbatical for Lamb-Sinclair, who represented
the state in the 2016
National Teacher of the Year
competition. Last semester,
UK honored Lamb-Sinclair
at Rupp Arena during the
men’s basketball game versus
Tennessee.
“Ashley’s achievement and
work as a teacher give us all a
model of professionalism that
we both can and must aspire
to,” Dr. Leslie David Burns,
program chair of English
Education at the UK College
of Education, said.
practice, and a really strong sense of camaraderie
with the talented peers I learned alongside in the
MIC Program,” Lamb-Sinclair said. “These people
set the bar high at the start of my career, and I have
spent a decade trying to meet it.”
Among the 24 teachers selected as semi-finalists
for 2016’s award was another UK College of
Education alumnus, Tracy
Lambert, who teaches at
Lafayette High School in
Fayette County.
“Our most important assets
in education are the teachers
in the classrooms. These
teachers honored here today
represent the best of the
best in Kentucky,” Kentucky
Education Commissioner
Stephen L. Pruitt said
during the 2016 recognition
ceremony. “Even with tight
resources and a continual
push to make sure all students
are ready for college and
career, Kentucky’s teachers
are proving high student
achievement is possible.”
“She has done so much to
innovate, lead and change for
success. And she did that by
Lamb-Sinclair is joined by College of
studying and responding to
Education Dean Mary John O’Hair at
her students. She didn’t just
Rupp Arena.
put them first. She put them
Lamb-Sinclair, a national
at the center of her work.
board-certified teacher in her
I think the most powerful
10th year of teaching, is an
statement about Ashley’s achievements is that they
Innovator with the Redesign Challenge through the
weren’t accidents. She accomplished everything
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, an Innovative
based on her knowledge about teaching, learning
Teacher Leader and Next Generation Instructional
and schools from the very start. Her work in English
Design Cohort Member, both through The Fund
education and our Master’s with Initial Certification
for Transforming Education in Kentucky, and the
Program laid the foundation for her to not just get
developer of a program called Connect aimed at
a credential, but also the professional education
reconnecting reluctant learners.
to thrive and lead with ever since. The entire MIC
In partnership with Louisville Literary Arts and
program faculty is proud to have learned and worked
Sarabande Books, she has co-created a newsletter
with her and so many others who can now follow her
called 502LitNews, which seeks to engage the
footsteps.”
Louisville literary community.
Burns has been collaborating with Lamb-Sinclair
She was a Fulbright scholar to Thailand and
to write and publish about teacher leadership and
Vietnam
and an Oxford scholar through the English
education reforms.
Speaking Union.
“During my time at UK, two really important
Lamb-Sinclair is an English and creative writing
factors set the foundation for me: skilled mentors
teacher in the Oldham County school district. Her
in Les Burns and Renee Boss who challenged me
bachelor’s and master’s degrees were earned at the
to think about education in innovative ways and
UK College of Education.
consistently reflect upon and refine my classroom
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