UK College of Education

09/30/2026

Research that hits home: Amanda Duncan, Ph.D., and Tshepang Tshube, Ph.D., are hoping to bring understanding to how thoughtfully designed sports programs can help autistic children participate, learn and feel successful. For Duncan, it's both personal and professional.

Can sports help autistic children build social skills, confidence and physical fitness?

A team of researchers from the UK College of Education is studying how specially designed basketball and cross-country programs may support autistic children both on and off the field. The project aims to better understand how sports can promote social connections, physical development and everyday life skills while making recreation more accessible and inclusive for children and families.

Click the link in our page info section to learn more.

09/30/2026

Want to be part of a live podcast recording in the beautiful new Studio A? Save your seat at the link in our bio. Keep reading for details ⬇️

The Future of Sport Institute podcast, Chasing a Roster Spot is going live!
When: October 6
Time: 6 p.m. (Doors open at 5:45 p.m.)
Where: Spectrum Studio - Studio A
What: Aa special live recording with Angela Marin, Director of Athletics at UT Dallas, and Erin Kodama, Associate Vice President of Planning and Operations at THE TEAM.
Our Big Question: How do you make career decisions when you don’t know where they’ll lead? We’ll discuss career crossroads, unexpected opportunities, and the choices that shape your path. You’ll also have lots of chances to join the conversation.
This event is free and open to students, faculty, and the UK community. Space is limited, so please RSVP to reserve your seat.

09/28/2026

That feeling when your mom shows up from 2,000 miles away to see you get an award you didn’t know you were getting.

Sadie Erwin, an elementary education major, was awarded an Outstanding Undergraduate Award by the Kentucky Association of Teacher Educators. Sadie plans to continue to graduate school to get a master’s degree in STEM Education and become a STEM teacher.

Also honored were 4 UK alumni and graduate students:
🔵 Kentucky High School Social Studies Teacher of the Year, Christy Cartner, Ed.D., nominated by Dr. Kathy Swan as the Outstanding Mentor Teacher
🔵 Hunter Watts, a student in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. In Education Sciences program, also nominated by Dr. Swan as the Outstanding Graduate Student
🔵 Elementary education alumni Lilly Brown and Shelby Hewett, both receiving the Early Career Award

09/22/2026

What if the story we tell about families raising children with autism is incomplete? New research finds that while families may experience greater stress, they also show remarkable resilience.

A UK College of Education study offers a fuller picture of family life with autism and what families may need to thrive.

Amanda Duncan is an assistant professor in the UK Department of Early Childhood, Special Education and Counselor Education.

09/18/2026

UK College of Education researchers are exploring how AI could help elementary teachers strengthen math teaching in real time.

"This study will directly impact Kentucky elementary teachers who participate, as we hope it will give them clear and rapid feedback on their noticing skills. That’s something that, before now, would have been impossible to do.” - Dr. Jonathan Thomas

Read more on UKNow.

Research UK researchers study AI’s potential to strengthen math teaching By Amanda Nelson Friday Researchers, from left, Jonathan Thomas, Cindy Jong and Robin Jocius, with University of Kentucky College of Education, and Molly Fisher, Rowan University, are examining how AI can help teachers respon...

09/16/2026

Impact from campus to the classrooms in the Commonwealth 💙 Nearly 90 UK future teachers visited Picadome Elementary, Cardinal Valley Elementary, and RISE STEM Academy in Fayette County to give assessments in literacy and math, and spent time observing hands-on learning concepts in action and talking with teachers. These practicum students are getting ready for student teaching in the spring. UK students spend many hours in the classroom throughout their journey to be well-prepared as teachers. Listen to what they had to say about this experience.

09/16/2026

Twice in one week! Donuts ✅ Fruit ✅ Coffee ✅ The best dean on campus ✅ Stop by Taylor Education Building 10-11:30 a.m. for free food & say hi to Dean Pace.

09/14/2026

Interested in undergraduate research? Join us Monday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 4 p.m. in the Dickey Hall lobby to learn how to get involved. Free food and swag.

09/03/2026

How can you help your child make friends without adding pressure? What can you do when homework keeps getting forgotten? And how should families respond when school anxiety starts to show up? UK College of Education experts Dr. Meagan Scott and Dr. Jena Hinds share advice for helping support kids throughout the school year. Read their tips on UKNow.

Meagan Scott and Jena Hinds, with UK’s College of Education, offer practical advice on some of the challenges families may encounter during the school year.

09/02/2026

If back-to-school season has you thinking of a return to the classroom, whether in-person, online, or hybrid, you'll find options for graduate degrees and certificates to help you reach your career goals:

Ready to take the next step in your academic journey? Our highly-ranked graduate programs will prepare you for what’s next. What Makes us Special: Grow your skills and deepen your understanding in programs ranked among the top in the nation and where you are valued as an individual. Your professor...