Updates/News
Cheers to the 2023 Cohort: A Celebration of Growth, Grit, and Heart
- May 20, 2025
- Posted by: Kristen Garner
- Category: Misc
Last week, we had the absolute joy of celebrating a very special milestone: the graduation of Teach Kentucky’s 2023 cohort!
It feels like just yesterday these bright, hopeful individuals packed their bags and moved to Louisville from all over—California, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, and, of course, right here in Kentucky—to start a brand new chapter. In the summer of 2023, they began their journey toward becoming teachers by diving into a Master of Arts in Teaching program at one of our three amazing college partners: the University of Louisville, Spalding University, or Asbury University. They put their faith in Teach Kentucky to help them launch their careers, and we couldn’t be more honored to have walked alongside them these past two years.
We’ve watched them grow—not just into phenomenal teachers, but into confident adults who are making a real impact in our schools and communities. When they first arrived, they were fresh out of undergrad, full of nerves, excitement, and questions. Today, they’re seasoned educators who’ve mentored the cohort behind them, volunteered at recruitment events, and become a core part of the TKY community.
To mark this moment, we stuck with one of our favorite TKY traditions: gathering at our founder’s home for a backyard celebration. It’s always a highlight of the year—and this time was no different. Each graduate was gifted a celebratory bottle of champagne… but with one catch. They had to share a memorable story from their first two years in the classroom first.
This part of the night is always magic.
The stories had us laughing, tearing up, and completely in awe. And what stood out (as it does every year) is that not a single one was about lesson plans, homework, or test scores. Every story was about relationships—with students who challenged them, inspired them, surprised them. Many shared moments with students who were struggling, who pushed back, who didn’t trust easily—until one day, something clicked. A connection was made. Those breakthrough moments reminded all of us why teaching is so powerful.
These students aren’t just being taught—they’re teaching our teachers, too. Lessons in patience, empathy, and what it means to truly show up for someone.
We are so proud of this group. Relocating to a new city, starting one of the hardest and most important jobs there is, and completing a master’s degree all at once? That’s no small feat. But they did it—with heart, humor, and a whole lot of resilience.
Most of our 2023 cohort will continue teaching right here in Louisville, staying committed to the schools and students they’ve grown to love. A few are heading off to teach in other cities and states, but no matter where they go, they carry the TKY spirit with them—and they’ll always be part of our family.
To the 2023 cohort: thank you for believing in us. Thank you for giving so much of yourselves to your students, your schools, and this community. We’re honored to be part of your journey, and we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.
And now, as we turn the page, we’re getting ready to welcome a brand new cohort in just a few short weeks. We can’t wait to see what their journey will bring.
Until then—cheers to you, 2023. You’ve made us so proud.
Congrats to our Grads
Asbury University
Priya Adhikariveetil, Hashim Alsabi. Tika Khatiwada, Elizabeth Lumbrix, Agustin Rosales-Chase
University of Louisville
Marquez Brown, Kassie Davidson, Susan Ginem, Bahati Kayihura, Hanna Montalvo, Janae Pembrook Ward, Rodney Shetler, Byron Williams
Spalding University
Jamil Butler, Trenten Cox, Janice Dean, Mia Epley, Aaron Hoback, Joseph Llamas, Rebecca Rossi, Evonne Sherman, Lily Weakley, Grace Wood