Lunch & Learn:
A Midday Learning Exchange Video Series
A monthly webinar series designed to spark candid conversations and share learnings about local accountability. Each session features a panel-style Q&A with district leaders sharing how vibrant learning, assessment innovations, and community partnerships are transforming their schools.
Preparing students to defend their learning of academic content and skill acquisition with school, community, and family connections.
Explore how Danville Independent and Bracken County Schools are allowing students to share their stories of holistic growth through academic achievements, internships, and strong community partnerships. Both districts are building Student Defenses of Learning opportunities for students in very different and unique ways.
Student defenses are more than an assessment they can become a catalyst for transforming the student experience, strengthening community connections, and creating a system where students can demonstrate who they are, what they know, and where they are going
Featured Speakers:
- Clay King (Bracken County Superintendent)
- April Vater (Teacher, Bracken County Middle School and District Lead)
- Stacey Schneller (Teacher, Bracken County Middle School)
- Chris Yelton (Principal, Bracken County Middle School)
- Suzanne Farmer (Chief Academic Officer)
- Dakota Yates (Community & Career Partnership Coordinator)
Key Learning Highlights:
- Start with the “why,” not the defense itself.
Both districts emphasized that defenses are a tool for bringing their vision for student learning to life. The work begins with a clear Portrait of a Learner and a shared understanding of the competencies students should develop, not simply creating another assessment.
- Student defenses are a process, not an event.
Successful implementation requires embedding reflection, evidence collection, portfolios, and preparation throughout the year. Both districts have continually adjusted their systems based on what they learned, demonstrating that this is ongoing culture and systems work rather than a one-time presentation.
- Authentic audiences can turn assessment into opportunity.
Community members aren't simply evaluators; they can become connectors who help students see pathways connected to their interests and goals. Danville's work demonstrates how defenses can lead directly to internships, career experiences, college connections, and other authentic opportunities. - Start small, learn from others, and continually refine.
A strong message from both districts was “go slow to go fast.” Start with a manageable entry point, learn from other districts, listen to feedback, celebrate small wins, and adapt the system to fit your local context. As Bracken County shared, districts don't have to create everything from scratch; they can learn from what others are doing and make it work for their own students and community.
Engaging Students in Learning That Prepares Them for Life After Graduation
Explore how Frankfort and Newport Independent Schools are bringing their revised Portrait of a Learner to life through internships, student-led presentations, and strong community partnerships. Learn practical strategies for engaging stakeholders, building vibrant learning experiences, and creating sustainable, meaningful frameworks that prepare students for life beyond graduation.
Featured Speakers:
- Autumn Slankard, Director of Curriculum (Newport Independent)
- Sheri Satterly, Superintendent (Frankfort Independent)
- Thad Elmore, Chief Academic Officer (Frankfort Independent)
- Joe Rogers, Frankfort High Principal (Frankfort Independent)
- Shane Hecker, Senior Internship Coordinator (Frankfort Independent)
Key Learning Highlights:
Portrait of a Learner must be lived—not just written
Real-world learning is the anchor- Frankfort’s internships, presentations, and community partnerships demonstrate that authentic, applied learning experiences are central to preparing students for life after graduation - not just academic achievement.
Stakeholder engagement is essential for success and sustainability- Ongoing input from students, families, educators, and community members drives both development and continuous improvement. Broad ownership leads to stronger buy-in and longevity.
Start with intention, move with flexibility- Newport is taking a slow, deliberate approach to ensure authenticity, while Frankfort continues to iterate its model. Both reinforce that this work evolves and shouldn’t be rushed or treated as static.
Student voice and ownership increase impact- From student-led internship outreach to assembling presentation panels, giving students agency builds critical skills and deepens engagement.
Building Community Trust: Grant & Washington County
In our inaugural session, leaders from Grant County and Washington County share how they’ve moved beyond compliance to create a local vision for education that truly resonates with their communities. By stripping away "education jargon" to make strategic plans accessible to everyone, these districts are proving that transparency builds trust.
Featured Speakers:
- Todd Moody, Superintendent (Grant County)
- Danielle Haley (Grant County)
- Robin Cochran, Superintendent (Washington County)
- Holly Elmore (Washington County)
Key Learning Highlights:
Student-Led Success
- How Washington County’s "Celebrations of Learning" empower students in grades 2, 5, 8, and 12 to present evidence of their own growth.
The Power of Voice
- Why including parent priorities—like school meal feedback—on district dashboards helped drive a reduction in chronic absenteeism.
Scaling Innovation
- A look at how Grant County’s professional-grade CTE culinary and welding labs and Washington County’s K-12 competency rubrics are creating vibrant learning experiences.
Building Trust
- Why local accountability is about more than just data—it’s about inviting the community in as true partners.