Celebrating Literacy Across Eastern Kentucky: Read Across America Week in Knott County, Pineville, and Middlesboro
Read Across America Week is a nationwide celebration honoring renowned author Dr. Seuss and the joy of reading. Schools across the country take part in literacy-based activities designed to engage students of all ages. Thanks to the Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) grant, schools in Knott County, Pineville, and Middlesboro have been able to celebrate […]
The 2nd Annual Appalachian Youth Leadership Summit: Applications Now Open!
High school juniors and seniors entering the 2025-26 school year: Are you ready to develop your leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and take on real-world challenges? The Appalachian Youth Leadership Summit (AYLS) is back! From June 10-13, 2025, students will gather at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, TN for a four-day leadership retreat designed to […]
Forging Connections: Middlesboro Independent School District Brings Appalachian Heritage to Life
In Middlesboro, KY, the clang of hammers on anvils and the twang of banjo strings recently echoed through the halls of local schools. Middlesboro Independent School District (MISD) brought history to life during its Appalachian Heritage Week, a two-week celebration that blended education, artistry, and community spirit to connect students with their cultural roots. For […]
Building Homes and Community in Letcher County
Shellie Williams realized her calling was to work with children from early on in her career, starting out at a childcare center in 2000. Now, she has been a Full-Service Community Schools Coordinator at Letcher County Central High School for two years. “There’s no place like Letcher County,” Williams said, calling to mind her hometown. […]
Helping Students Build Confidence and Independence in Jackson County, Kentucky
For Charity Rose, the most rewarding part of her job comes from working alongside the students she is serving, including her own children. “Being in the school, I can see what the needs are, and I can bring in programs and resources to meet those needs,” Rose said. “Not just for my own kids, but […]
Middlesboro Independent School District’s Innovative Literacy Program: The Phonebook
Bringing Stories to Life Middlesboro Independent School District, in collaboration with Partners for Rural Impact’s Innovative Approaches to Literacy (IAL) program, is using a creative solution to keep the love of reading alive in their community: The Phonebook. This unique telephone-based storytelling platform allows students to record and share their own stories, which younger students […]
Corbin High School Media Students Shine Light on Youth Homelessness at East Kentucky Leadership Conference
Corbin High School Media Students Shine Light on Youth Homelessness at East Kentucky Leadership Conference Student panelists Jayce Howington, Makenna Wilson, Addison Bonham, and Chloe Smith East Kentucky Leadership Conference – May 8, 2024 During the opening day of the Eastern Kentucky Leadership Conference, attendees from across Appalachia sat in silence as they listened […]
Clear Vision, Bright Futures: Leslie County Schools Focus on Vision Issues
Clear Vision, Bright Futures: Leslie County Schools Focus on Vision Issues Students received vision exams from UPike College of Optometry students Leslie County, KY – During the last two weeks of school in Kentucky, all students in grades 3-8, 10, and 11 take the required Kentucky Summative Assessment (KSA). This important academic milestone, along with […]
‘It Takes a Village:’ The Whole Child Approach in Letcher County
‘It Takes a Village:’ The Whole Child Approach in Letcher County For Mandy Wynn, returning to the world of academia to pursue her GED and higher education sparked a passion and purpose for serving her community. She now embodies that purpose every day in her role as Student Success Navigator at Jenkins Middle High School […]
A Mentor’s Mission to Uplift and Inspire Barbourville Students
A Mentor’s Mission to Uplift and Inspire Barbourville Students There are two things Travis Mills is passionate about: education and Appalachia. With a rich background in education, Mills has been a guiding light for students in his community for years. He is the proud recipient of 17 Green Leaf Awards and counting—an honor bestowed upon […]