"Next" Magazine Vol. 3 Fall 2016 | Page 7

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 | 7