McConnell Center welcomes new cohort of teachers for 2026 program

By Natalie Tracy | Jan. 16, 2026

The McConnell Center is pleased to welcome a new cohort of Kentucky educators selected to participate in its Teacher Scholars Program (TSP) in 2026. This year’s cohort will engage in programming centered on “America’s Autobiography,” developed in celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of America’s founding.

While nations do not write autobiographies in the traditional sense, America’s story is told through its founding documents, landmark speeches and enduring texts. Throughout the year, Teacher Scholars will explore these works as a way of examining the ideas, conflicts and principles that have shaped the nation and continue to define American civic life.

As part of the program, participants will help launch a new McConnell Center publication that brings together core historical documents aligned with Kentucky social studies standards. Scheduled for public release this spring, the text is designed specifically for classroom use, and participating teachers will receive complimentary copies for their students. Scholars will also take part in the launch of George Washington—Citizen, Soldier, Statesman, a forthcoming book by Dr. Gary Gregg, McConnell Center Director, part of the new series, The Faces of Mount Rushmore.

In addition to these scholarly opportunities, Teacher Scholars will receive more than 50 professional development hours; participate in monthly lectures and seminars with leading scholars; attend all-expenses-paid weekend retreats across Kentucky and a summer trip to Mount Rushmore; and receive free classroom sets of McConnell Center publications and teaching resources.

The McConnell Center proudly welcomes the following educators into this year’s Teacher Scholars cohort:

  • Andrew Barczak (Covington Classical Academy)
  • Kathy Bess (St. Patrick School)
  • Corey Blair (Martha Layne Collins High School)
  • Matthew Brotherton (Pulaski County High School)
  • Jennifer Brown (Menifee Central)
  • Stella Brown (Whitley County Middle School)
  • Susan Campbell (Hazard High School)
  • Amy Chancellor (North Hardin High School)
  • Derek Charles (Whitley County High School)
  • John Lloyd Clayton (Marshall County High School)
  • Wendy Clem (Rosspoint Elementary)
  • Angela Coleman (Franklin Simpson Middle School)
  • Garret Compton (Stuart Pepper Middle School)
  • Kamaran Holt (Central High School)
  • Rachel Hubbard (Webster County Middle School)
  • Amy “Maggie” Land (Taylor Mill Elementary School)
  • Malissa Lewis (Rosspoint Elementary)
  • Madison Light (Covington Latin School)
  • Nicole Morrison (North Oldham High School)
  • Zach Parsons (Russell High School)
  • Mallory Pennington (Frankfort High School)
  • Nadia Pratt (Pre-service teacher, University of Louisville College of Education)
  • Amber Scott (Joe Harrison Carter Elementary)
  • Amy Sizemore (North Laurel Middle School)
  • Matt Wagner (Peaks Mill Elementary)

The McConnell Center looks forward to working with this group of educators as they deepen their scholarship, collaborate with peers across the Commonwealth and bring rich civic education back to their classrooms.