Kentucky educators graduate from McConnell Center’s 2024-25 Teacher Scholars Program

July 10, 2025 | By Natalie Tracy

The University of Louisville’s McConnell Center is proud to announce the graduation of the 2024-25 cohort of its Teacher Scholars Program (TSP), a prestigious professional learning opportunity for Kentucky educators.

This year’s Teacher Scholars represent schools from across the Commonwealth and have spent the academic year engaged in a hybrid program exploring the roots of the American Republic. Through monthly events with leading scholars, they studied the achievements of five major civilizations—Jerusalem, Athens, Rome, London, and Philadelphia—and their lasting influence on America.

In addition to lectures and seminars, the program provided participants with more than 80 professional development hours, all-expenses-paid retreats around Kentucky, and a culminating summer trip to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Teachers also received free McConnell Center publications and teaching resources to bring back to their classrooms.

Graduates of the 2024-25 Teacher Scholars Program include:

  • Emily Addington, St. Paul Catholic School (Boone County)
  • Lindsey Ausenbaugh, Lyon County Elementary (Lyon County)
  • Jeffery Brock, Estill County High School (Estill County)
  • Susan Campbell, Hazard High School (Perry County)
  • Derek Charles, Whitley County High School (Whitley County)
  • Kara Clark, Lebanon Middle School (Marion County)
  • Wendy Clem, Rosspoint Elementary School (Harlan County)
  • Joshua Collins, Johnson County Middle School (Johnson County)
  • Garret Compton, Stuart Pepper Middle School (Meade County)
  • Chancellor Dennison, Grayson County High School (Grayson County)
  • Ramona Ford, Farmer Elementary School (Jefferson County)
  • Stephen Foster, Pathfinder School of Innovation (Jefferson County)
  • James Garrett, duPont Manual High School (Jefferson County)
  • Ashley Kirby, South Laurel Middle School (Laurel County)
  • Tayler Knight, Webster County Middle School (Webster County)
  • Amber Scott, Joe Harrison Carter Elementary School (Monroe County)
  • Rebecca Sealock, Marshall County High School (Marshall County)
  • Joel Shutt, Maurice Bowling Middle School (Owen County)
  • Ben Slusher, Middlesboro High School (Bell County)
  • Stephanie Tewes, Covington Catholic (Kenton County)
  • Matthew Wagner, Peaks Mill Elementary (Franklin County)
  • Rachel Webb, Vine Grove Elementary School (Hardin County)
  • Drake Williams, McCracken County High School (McCracken County)

The McConnell Center congratulates these dedicated educators on their achievement and their commitment to deepening civic education in Kentucky classrooms. For more information about the McConnell Center's Civic Education Program, contact Meghan Waters at .