Founded in 2001 by social entrepreneur, Rowan Claypool, Teach Kentucky launches the education careers of ambitious college graduates in Louisville, Kentucky’s public schools. The organization has grown from bringing two teacher candidates in its first year to annually bringing a new 40-45 person cohort of aspiring teachers from across the nation to our city. Once they are here, our teachers stay and build their professional and personal lives. We have been successful because we understand the incredible challenges that face new teachers working in public schools. Teach Kentucky’s community and teacher support network are dedicated to helping all of our recruits succeed. We don’t just recruit you. We get to know you, connect you with other like-minded community members, and support you as you begin an incredibly rewarding career.
About
OUR PROGRAM
OUR TEAM
FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT
Rowan Claypool
Rowan has spent over 20 years as a serial entrepreneur, creating ways to attract talented people (you?) to Louisville, Kentucky and, in his words, to “change the course of the river in people’s lives and in the cities in which they plant themselves.” He’s devoted to discovering ways to make his community a better place by whatever means possible and he believes that talented people are the way to do it.
Bonnie Baragary
Director of Programs
Bonnie has been part of the Teach Kentucky staff since 2023 and plays a key role in supporting teachers throughout their certification journey. She leads Teach Kentucky’s Summer Institute and works closely with participants during their two years in the program through mentoring, classroom visits, observations, and ongoing support.
Bonnie first joined the Teach Kentucky community in 2016 as a Teach Kentucky social studies teacher. She taught and served as an instructional coach at Robert Frost 6th Grade Academy (now Stuart Academy) before later teaching at Southern High School. Her firsthand experience as both a classroom teacher and instructional coach helps her provide practical guidance and encouragement to new educators as they begin their careers.
Teach Kentucky has also been an important part of Bonnie’s personal life. Her husband, Jason, was a member of Teach Kentucky’s 2011 cohort and now serves as a principal in Bullitt County. In 2024, Bonnie and Jason welcomed their first child, Eloise.
Kristen Garner
Director of Operations & Communications
Kristen serves as the Director of Operations and Communications for Teach Kentucky. She graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, but has spent most of her career working in nonprofit organizations — work that reflects her passion for mission-driven community impact.
After relocating to Louisville in 2022, Kristen joined the Teach Kentucky team in 2023 and quickly developed a deep appreciation for the city she now proudly calls home. She enjoys helping recruit and welcome new teachers to Louisville while connecting them to the community and opportunities the city has to offer.
Kristen plays a pivotal role in Teach Kentucky’s recruitment efforts and the day-to-day operations that keep the organization running smoothly. From communications and events to program logistics and behind-the-scenes coordination, she helps support both participants and staff throughout the year.
OUR BOARD
Emily Uckotter
Treasurer
Supervisor, Jones Nale & Mattingly PLC
Emily Wilson
Vice President, Partnerships & Engagement, Collaborative for Teaching and Learning
John Weber
Commercial Real Estate Attorney, Holland & Knight
Ryan Keith
Local Markets Counsel at Aetna, a CVS Health Company
LOUISVILLE
Voted “Most Compassionate City” and “Most Livable City,” the Louisville area is more than home to the Kentucky Derby, baseball bats and bourbon. The city features its own opera, orchestra, Ballet Company, and the world-renowned Actor’s Theatre. It’s also a hub for indie music, regional and college sports, and has a robust foodie culture, including superb craft breweries and craft distilleries as well as award-winning coffee houses such as Heine Brothers, Quills Coffee and Sunergos Coffee. Nestled in the Ohio River Valley and blessed with four seasons, a string of Olmsted parks and splendid architecture, including the nation’s largest Victorian preservation district, Louisville is also a beautiful place to call home. Intrigued? Learn more about our fabulous city and why you should Live In Lou. Here are a few of the recognitions Louisville has received just this year:
- One of the top “Creative Cities for 20-Somethings” byPolicyMic.com
- One of the “Best Entrepreneurial Cities” by entrepreneur.com
- America’s Breakout Cities for 2014 by CNNMoney
- World’s Top 10 Food Cities by National Geographic
- Top 10 “Bike-Friendly City” by USA Today
- A Top 20 “City With Economic Momentum” by NewGeography.com
- Eighth on the list of “Best Towns in America” by Outside Magazine
- Eighth “Most Affordable City in the U.S.” by Forbes
- “Top 10 Cities for Being a Homeowner” by NerdWallet.com
TEACH KENTUCKY COMMUNITY
Teach Kentucky is known for its community. It’s one of the primary reasons our teachers thrive in Louisville. Our veteran teachers are committed to helping our newer cohort members. Oftentimes, this leads to innovative collaboration and long-lasting friendships. Teach Kentucky staff and community supporters enthusiastically introduce new teachers to everything that the city has to offer. From an exciting restaurant and nightlife scene to volunteer opportunities to festivals and plays, we work hard to show teachers how much our city has to offer, so that it feels like home.
TEACHER SUPPORT
We know that better preparation means a better teaching experience for you and a better learning experience for students. We also understand that navigating your first year of teaching is challenging on many levels. To ensure that our new teachers are fully supported and successful during their entry into the classroom, we’ve built components into our program that distinguish us from other teacher recruitment organizations in the level of support they provide, including:
- An eight-week Summer Institute, which includes experience teaching students and one-on-one guidance from our veteran teachers, to help you prepare and refine techniques before that first day in the classroom.
- A veteran teacher on staff who is dedicated to providing ongoing in-school support to our new teachers.
- A Teach Kentucky peer subject matter mentor.
- University and school district mentors.
- A tight-knit community focused on welcoming and supporting your needs as a new teacher.
SUMMER INSTITUTE
Teach Kentucky wants you to excel as a teacher in the classroom. Once you are accepted into our program, we provide you with a eight-week summer teacher preparation program that complements your graduate school courses. Teach Kentucky’s Summer Institute begins in early June and ends in late July. New recruits attend 2.5 hours of morning classes Monday through Thursday. Veteran teachers and retired administrators lead activities focused on a wide range of important topics, including but not limited to:
- classroom management
- instructional techniques
- setting up your classroom
- navigating the school system
Don’t worry, you won’t be bored. Our veteran teachers and staff make sure that the Summer Institute keeps you busy and engaged. It’s not all work and no play. Impromptu social gatherings throughout the summer give you the chance to kick back, relax, and get to know the Teach Kentucky community better.
UPDATES/NEWS
RETIRED TEACHER ADVOCATES
Retired Teacher Advocates (RTAs) are a unique component of Teach Kentucky’s support system. All new teachers are matched and paired with a RTA, who provides another level of emotional support and guidance. RTA mentors frequently have held positions in schools as teachers and administrators. It’s not unusual for RTAs and their mentees to share meals, have coffee dates to catch up, and celebrate both big and small professional milestones.
