Bullitt County Public Schools: Pioneering an Innovative Approach to Education
Shepherdsville, KY –January 29, 2024
Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS), in its continuous pursuit of educational excellence, recently led a transformative training day at the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC) as part of their Deeper Learning initiative on January 10, 2024. The event, led by Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Adrienne Usher, marked a pivotal step in redefining the educational experience for students and educators alike.
In his inspiring talk to educators in attendance from across the Bluegrass, Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon challenged conventional notions of student success. "Test scores aren't our number one; they are not our target," he asserted. BCPS's vision is to prepare students to succeed in life after high school – a journey that begins at every grade level. Dr. Bacon highlighted BCPS’ guiding principles - Core Values, Graduate Profile, Aspiration Statements - which were all developed in collaboration with the district’s community and families, and help to ensure that every BCPS student is afforded authentic and engaging opportunities.
Dr. Usher emphasized the importance of language in shaping educational paradigms. With a collective 13,260 hours spent in school, she posed a thought-provoking question: "If you spent this much time on something, what would you want the OUTCOME to be?" This perspective underpins the district's commitment to "Authentic Learning." The BCPS Instructional Vision graphic serves as a testament to this commitment, advocating for the creation of multiple entry points in education, recognizing that one size does not fit all.
In support of this visionary approach, BCPS offers training cohorts for its teachers. These cohort groups are limited to a small number of teacher participants per year to ensure that each member is truly supported in this important work. Cohort members also received continued support for the two years following their initial membership. This initiative exemplifies the district's dedication to empowering educators in their professional growth and adapting to innovative teaching methods.
The training day at OVEC featured a remarkable lineup of station leaders, including Daniel Mullins, Katie Stephens, Katie Cottner, Lee Barger, Beau Kaelin, Rachelle Bramlage-Schomburg, Kim Ludwig, Gina Weber, Aatash Parikh (from BCPS Partner: InkWire), Shannon Johnson, Carmen Bolyard, Mike Ekbundit (from BCPS Partner: GE Appliances), Dr. Brandy Howard, April Watkins, and Debbie Whitsell. Each leader brought unique insights and expertise from their experiences around Authentic Learning in BCPS, and contributed to a rich tapestry of ideas and strategies to share with OVEC attendees.
BCPS is at the forefront of redefining accountability in education. As Dr. Bacon aptly put it, "Our community and families get to decide what they want from us for their students and what evidence they need to see related to those things." This marks the start of meaningful conversations at the building level for BCPS and a move towards a mindset shift about what school has been and what it CAN BE for our children.
Bullitt County Public Schools is committed to moving forward, unwavering in its foundational commitments, and reestablishing the way student achievement is viewed in education. This journey is not just about change; it's about revolutionizing the educational landscape for the betterment of every student in the district.
Click here to view photos of this event.
About Bullitt County Public Schools
Bullitt County Public Schools, located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, is dedicated to providing a world-class education that prepares students for success in life beyond high school. With a focus on authentic learning experiences, the district is committed to fostering an environment where every student thrives.