KEDC Grants

🎨✨ Renaissance Teacher Leader Spotlight: Caitlin Salyer

For Caitlin Salyer, an elementary STEAM teacher at Paintsville Independent Schools, Renaissance has been revolutionary—shifting the way she thinks about the arts, collaboration, and what’s possible in her classroom.

This grant year, Caitlin was selected for the Kentucky Innovative Teacher Fellowship, earned her Diffit Educator Certification, and became a KEDC Leadership Cohort Member. Through Renaissance, she has explored museums both in person and virtually, learned from experts in the arts and education, and gained new perspectives that influence how she creates learning experiences for her students.

That learning is making its way directly into her STEAM classroom. Caitlin is finding new ways to integrate multiple subjects into a single lesson, collaborate with other teachers, and make meaningful connections across content areas. She also regularly shares what she’s learning with colleagues through PLCs and everyday conversations.

For Caitlin, being surrounded by educators who share her enthusiasm for engaging students has been just as valuable as the new ideas and resources.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now do a better job of integrating multiple subjects in one lesson.”

We’re proud to celebrate Caitlin’s accomplishments and the creativity, collaboration, and fresh thinking she brings to her students and school community!

🇺🇸✨ America’s Promise Teacher Leader Spotlight: Jennifer Chandler

For Jennifer Chandler, Academic Interventionist at Roundstone Elementary in Rockcastle County, the best professional learning is the kind she can put to work right away.

Jennifer describes her America’s Promise experience as useful, because the strategies and resources she gains are practical, engaging, and designed to benefit students. She has especially enjoyed using questioning strategies like See, Think, Wonder and SQ3, along with creative approaches such as podcasting through project-based learning.

This grant year, Jennifer also earned her Diffit Educator Certification, adding another tool to her growing instructional toolbox.

Just as important, Jennifer makes a point to share what she learns. Whether it’s during lunch, through email, or in conversations with educators across her district, she helps extend the impact of the grant beyond her own students.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now feel more empowered as an educator, more confident sharing with others, and excited to continue learning from fellow educators.”

We’re proud to celebrate Jennifer’s commitment to meaningful learning, collaboration, and helping students stay engaged and curious.

📚✨ Passport to Learning Teacher Spotlight: Mindy Smith

For Mindy Smith, Library Media Specialist at Barbourville Independent Schools, some of the best professional learning is the kind that keeps spreading.

Through Passport to Learning, Mindy has discovered new tools, fresh ideas, and resources she can use immediately with students. This grant year, she has earned her Diffit Educator Certification and is also a KEDC Leadership Cohort Member.

One resource that has especially stood out is Novel Effect, which adds sound effects and interactive elements to read-alouds and helps make books even more engaging for students. Mindy has also shared tools like Diffit and Novel Effect with teachers in her school, and she loves seeing those ideas continue into other classrooms.

For Mindy, that ripple effect is what makes the experience so meaningful.

💬 “I love gaining new tools to use, but love even more that it doesn’t stop with me. It enters the doors of other classrooms and reaches many students.”

We love seeing Passport to Learning create opportunities that grow from one educator, to a team, to an entire school community.

Members of the KEDC Grants Team were honored to present at Corbin Independent Schools’ Impact Conference! Our sessions focused on vibrant learning, history, EdTech platforms, and leadership. Thank you to Corbin Independent Schools for the opportunity to share and learn alongside your educators!

🇺🇸✨ America’s Promise Teacher Spotlight: Tracey Terry

America’s Promise Teacher Leader Tracey Terry of Leestown Middle School in Fayette County describes her grant experience as refined—helping her deepen her understanding of history, strengthen her instructional practice, and expand the resources available to her students.

This year, Tracey earned her World Language Proficiency Certificate in Spanish. Through America’s Promise, she has also discovered resources like Elevated Perspectives, a free middle school curriculum that supports inquiry, civil discourse, and reflection.

Tracey is bringing that learning back to her school by sharing resources such as iCivics and Diffit with colleagues and encouraging others to apply for future grant cohorts.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now have a classroom equipped with accessible, user-friendly resources that allow me to provide high-quality, differentiated instruction for every student.”

🇺🇸✨ Passport to Learning Teacher Spotlight: Sara Coguer

Passport to Learning Teacher Leader Sara Coguer, a 4th grade teacher at Mt. Vernon Elementary School in Rockcastle County, describes her grant experience as fulfilling—helping her create more interactive learning experiences while growing as an educator and leader.

This year, Sara earned her Diffit Educator Certification, became a KEDC Leadership Cohort Member, and served as a new teacher mentor. Through Passport to Learning, she has strengthened her communication and mentoring skills while becoming more intentional about how she engages with students.

Sara is also sharing strategies and resources from the grant with fellow 4th grade teachers, extending that learning beyond her own classroom.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now feel equipped to be the best teacher for my students.”

We're proud to celebrate Sara's commitment to her students, her colleagues, and continued growth as a teacher leader!

🇺🇸✨ America's Promise Teacher Spotlight: Chelsea Cloud

America's Promise Teacher Leader Chelsea Cloud of Corbin Elementary School describes her grant experience as eye-opening—introducing her to new instructional tools, fresh ideas, and a community of educators who inspire one another to grow.

This year, Chelsea earned her Diffit Educator Certification and became a KEDC Leadership Cohort Member. Through America's Promise, she has expanded her instructional toolkit by exploring innovative learning platforms that help engage students and enrich classroom instruction.

Chelsea is also extending the impact of the grant by sharing these resources with her colleagues and encouraging their use across classrooms, helping create meaningful learning experiences for even more students.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now have more knowledge about learning platforms to help students.”

We're proud to celebrate Chelsea's commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and creating engaging opportunities that help students succeed.

🇺🇸✨ Passport to Learning Teacher Spotlight: Sarah Mayberry

Passport to Learning Teacher Leader Sarah Mayberry, a 2nd grade teacher at Pine Knot Primary School in McCreary County, describes her grant experience as intentional—helping her thoughtfully select the strategies and resources that best meet the needs of her students.

This year, Sarah earned her Diffit Educator Certification and has embraced a mindset of purposeful instruction, recognizing that meaningful learning comes from intentionally choosing the right tools for her classroom. Through Passport to Learning, she has grown more confident in sharing ideas with her team and has become an active contributor during planning and collaboration.

Sarah is bringing her grant learning back to her school by sharing resources and strategies with her grade-level team, helping strengthen instruction and support student success across classrooms.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now feel more confident in myself as an educator.”

We're proud to celebrate Sarah's thoughtful leadership, commitment to continuous growth, and dedication to creating meaningful learning experiences for her students.

🇺🇸✨ America's Promise Teacher Spotlight: Elizabeth Daniels

America's Promise Teacher Leader Elizabeth Daniels of Knox Central High School describes her grant experience as empowering—providing the tools, resources, and confidence she needed as she began teaching high school Social Studies.

This year, Elizabeth earned her Diffit Educator Certification and became a KEDC Leadership Cohort Member. She credits tools like Diffit and PBS resources as game changers in her classroom, helping her create engaging learning experiences for her students.

Elizabeth has also extended the impact of America's Promise by leading a PLC on Diffit, sharing practical strategies and resources with fellow educators. Through the grant, she has gained confidence in both her content knowledge and instructional practices while embracing new opportunities to grow as a teacher leader.

💬 “Because of this grant, I now have an excitement of new resources to inspire my students.”

We're proud to celebrate Elizabeth's enthusiasm for learning, her willingness to share with others, and the positive impact she's making in her classroom and school community.