Kentucky Department of Education

One of the most urgent problems facing Kentucky's schools in the quest to close the achievement gap is the critical need for diverse, highly qualified, responsible, and enlightened leadership. There is a growing consensus in Kentucky that district leaders who provide sound, productive teaching and learning centered on high standards for students may offer solutions to many of our schools' problems.

The Minority Superintendent Internship Program (MSIP) was established in 2003 to train and support minorities who are interested in becoming school superintendents. MSIP places educators in school districts for one year, where they serve as assistants to successful superintendents. The interns develop individual growth plans and have regular meetings and networking sessions with superintendents, board of education members and search firms. They also receive practical experience with public relations, curriculum/assessment/instruction issues, labor relations, human resources, facility management and finance and budgeting.

 

During the 2003-04 the following three internships were conducted:

 

Sara Elaine Farris, an elementary school director in Fayette County, interned under the leadership of Leon Mooneyhan, Shelby County Public Schools Superintendent.

 

Anthony Ray Sanders, a principal at Highland Elementary in Christian County, interned under the leadership of Stuart Silberman, Daviess County Superintendent.

 

Youlanda Washington, Ph.D. a principal at Pierce Primary School in Fort Knox Community Schools, interned under the leadership of Blake Haselton, Oldham County Schools Superintendent.

 

After completing the internship program in June, Ms. Farris was named the first minority superintendent in Kentucky's history when she accepted the position of Shelby County Schools Superintendent on July 1, 2004.  Ms. Elaine Farris currently serves as Deputy Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education

 

During the 2004-05 the following two internships are being conducted:

 

Aundrea Locke, assistant principal in the Ft. Knox Community Schools, interns with Dr. Janice Lantz, Nelson County Schools Superintendent and Dr. Blake Haselton, Oldham County Public Schools Superintendent.  Ms. Locke is the Director of Human Resources for Nelson County Public Schools.

 

Diane Woods, middle school director in Fayette County, interns with Roger Marcum, Marion County Schools Superintendent and Stu Silberman, Fayette County Schools Superintendent.  Ms. Woods is the superintendent for Campbellsville Independent Schools

 

The Minority Superintendent Internship Program application period will ended April 15, 2008.