The battle for Freedom Elementary and its ultimate success saw another important chapter unfold Wednesday night, when officials from the Christian County Public Schools Board of Education unanimously approved a “school ambassador job description” for current and future teachers looking to shepherd other novice, pupil teachers in the building.
Jessica Addison, the district’s assistant superintendent of instruction, described an 18-month fully funded grant — paid through the state’s School Improvement Fund — that would allow Principal Leslie Lancaster to designate up to 10 qualified and willing teachers with the unique capacity to work on improving educator aptitude.
It’s a $9,500 stipend on top of full-time teacher’s pay, but requires specific qualifications and a considerably increased workload. Addison noted teachers have to keep a work log of all efforts for the 18-month period — expiring September 2024 — and it’s something that can only be assessed through increased student achievement over the time period.
Freedom Elementary does currently tote a lesser annual designation from the Kentucky Department of Education. Addison said a measure like this would only help Lancaster “recruit, retain and pursue” teachers who fit the bill of raising the bar.
Addison further noted that not only would student achievement tell if the ambassadorship was working, but so would principal and leadership observations. As lesson plans and planning improved, so, too, would the teacher being herded.
The tough part out of all of this, Addison shared, is that it’s “ultimately hard to attract people to schools that are lower performing” — because “it’s harder work.”
This is a way to incentivize without giving a blanket, perhaps unearned or poorly documented, incentive.
CCPS Superintendent Chris Bentzel tacked on to Addison’s measure, stating a meeting with the district’s elementary school principals went “extremely well” regarding this effort.
Addison also urged that it was time to reward some interested, invested individuals within Freedom Elementary with an opportunity like this.
This extra designation can go for teachers who currently reside in Freedom Elementary, new incoming teachers who apply and are qualified and hired by CCPS, or for those who decide to transfer within the district and join the effort of essentially “raising all boats.”
Addison said she hopes this attracts folks from “across county lines,” and frankly stated it’s harder to replace teachers at Freedom Elementary than other schools in Christian County.
Prior to Wednesday’s meeting, Addison said the KDE had already voiced its approval for use of these funds in this way for the school.
Those who signed the ambassador contract, but failed to complete its measures, would naturally not be eligible for the stipend. Also, Addison told the board that while hiring 30 or so teacher’s assistants might look feasible in the moment, those positions and their budgetary needs don’t currently exist inside the CCPS parameter.
This grant, however, does.
