Four Owensboro Public Schools teachers were recently named GoTeachKY Ambassadors for 2021. Steve Fowler (iMiddle), Jenny Hudson (Owensboro Middle), Jennifer Scarbrough (Seven Hills) and Nikki Sims (Seven Hills) were named to the list.
The mission of GoTeachKY, an initiative of the Kentucky Department of Education, is to ensure that all students across the Commonwealth have equitable access to effective educators. GoTeachKY seeks to recruit the next generation of teachers in Kentucky, helping remedy the critical teacher shortage that affects every state in the U.S.
Nikki Sims – Seven Hills Head Start Preschool
“I am so excited to be named an ambassador for GoTeachKy. With times as crazy as they are right now, I want to make sure that anyone considering this profession or still undecided on a career path knows that this is still the place to be! Education is still the most rewarding and fulfilling job you could ever have.”
Dr. Jennifer Scarbrough, Ed.D. – Seven Hills Head Start Preschool
“I am very proud to represent OPS for GoTeachKY. Teaching is such an exciting and rewarding profession. I am thrilled to talk to prospective teachers and help them learn about this field that makes such a difference. Continuing the honorable tradition of teaching is very important to me personally and invaluable for our future.”
Jenny Hudson – Owensboro Middle School
“My job is always easier when I am surrounded by talented teachers. Being a GoTeach ambassador gives me a chance to elevate the field and encourage new individuals to join the profession. I look forward to the opportunity.”
Steve Fowler – Owensboro Innovation Middle School
“The reason I wanted to teach school was to provide effective educators equitable access to ‘at-risk’ children and to ‘be effective’. I set out to become a teacher while coaching and working two jobs. To be a GOTeach Ambassador for Kentucky is a remarkable thing. As GOTeach Kentucky Ambassadors, we have a unique opportunity to share our stories and help build new ones. Not to be cliche, but I desire this to be a part of my History, you can too. You can’t buy this, but we all have an opportunity to share our history and be a part of future Kentuckian’s history.”
Ambassadors were selected from a pool of applicants across the state who answered the call for teachers interested in supporting the initiative and helping promote the teaching profession. They have three goals:
- Communicate with and inspire students in high school and college to consider teaching as a career.
- Communicate with potential and current teachers to positively capture the rewards and opportunities associated with a career in teaching.
- Support and promote the central focus areas, programs and organizations of GoTeachKY, such as Educators Rising and the Teaching and Learning career pathway.
- Ambassadors must hold or have held a teaching position in a Kentucky public school and have at least four years of experience as a teacher, principal or other certified school staff member.
