Please allow us to introduce ...

“Please allow us to introduce…” is a monthly feature of News to Use spotlighting KYAE staff members to help adult educators become more familiar with KYAE staff.  New profiles will be added monthly.   

If you need a staff contact for particular subject areas, check the Staff Listing by Service Topics.

Joyce Bullock is a KYAE associate whose responsibilities include technical assistance, professional development, ESL and assessments.  Joyce has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and elementary education and a master’s degree in public administration and English.

 

A four-year KYAE employee, Joyce says her job allows her to meet interesting people from all walks of life.  She also likes the problem-solving aspects of her job and developing workshops.  She feels adult education is important because “there are few things more satisfying than to help others be successful.”

 

Joyce recently enjoyed a cruise to the Bahamas with nine family members.  She likes to spend time with her four nephews, niece and two great-nephews.

 

Fun fact:  Joyce says she mixes up adult educators’ names and counties – Amy Cloud becomes Amy Grant; Susan Watson – Susan Powell; Bev Thomson – Bev Christian; Jon Reynolds – Jon Kenton.

 

Billy Crabtree, an 11-year KYAE staff member, has recently taken on duties as the program support associate working with Region 2 counties.

 

Adult educators advocate lifelong learning, and Billy has demonstrated this philosophy in his life. He has an associate’s degree in police science and training and development, a bachelor’s in occupational education/criminal justice, a master’s in religion and a seminary doctoral degree in theology.

 

His background experience includes occupations in law enforcement, civil engineering and the clergy. He also has experience in human resources management and education and training program management in support services, health care, distribution, recreation, education, law enforcement and civil engineering.

 

Billy says adult education is important because of its potential for “helping people improve their quality of life – from learning to read to transitioning to the workforce and/or to postsecondary education. We are the first stop for better education and better employment opportunities.”

 

Billy and his wife have two children and two grandchildren. They own WindWalker Farm where they raise registered miniature horses and have a commercial South African goat operation.

 

Fun fact: Billy enjoys horseback riding, boating, farming and growing old with “my beautiful wife, Vickie.”

 

Josh Glover provides support for KYAE’s GED staff and has daily contact with GED graduates from across the Commonwealth.  Among his duties are receiving and filling daily transcript and diploma requests and mailing GED test results to students.

Josh is a Kentucky GED graduate who is married and lives in Frankfort.  Before joining the KYAE staff, he worked in restaurant management and in plumbing but enjoys his work in the GED area because adult education “has helped me better myself and I know it will do the same for so many others.”

Fun fact:  Josh is the lead singer in a rock band called War on Terror.

As one of five Council on Postsecondary Education Vice Presidents, Sarah is responsible for adult education oversight and policy direction and serves on Council President Tom Layzell’s administrative team.  She also serves on national policy issue workgroups coordinated by the U.S. Department of Education.

 

“I really enjoy working with the knowledgeable and dedicated KYAE staff who play a critical role in moving the system forward,” she said.  “The things I like most about this job are being creative and taking action to do the best we can for students.”

 

Until her move to Kentucky and the KYAE staff one year ago, Sarah’s career had encompassed numerous workforce development and adult education roles in Illinois state government, including occupational research in the health field, labor market research, and Workforce Investment Act and School-to-Work grant implementation.  At the Illinois Community College Board, she served as Vice President for Adult Education and Workforce Development.  During her tenure, adult education funding increased $9 million in years of flat budgets for other agencies.  She worked closely with the field and school superintendents to reduce tension and mistrust that had built up over several years.  Sarah has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communications from the University of Illinois at Springfield.

 

“I love working with the field and intend to do so here as much as possible,” she said.  “That’s where we get great ideas and where student achievement really happens.  During my varied professional experience, I have found no other program that demonstrates the benefits to students that adult education does.  It is a program of the heart and that feels right to me.”

 

Sarah lives in Berea, also the home of her brother and sister-in-law.  Her family also consists of a brother in Sacramento, Calif.; a “fabulous” daughter, son-in-law and two-year-old grandson in Columbus, Ohio; and two grey cats, Sadie and Sophie.

 

A fan of Sherlock Holmes books and movies, Sarah also enjoys Victorian and contemporary writers.  She collects antique cups and maps and loves film noir, 1940s and 50s movies and gardening. 

 

Fun fact:  Sarah has climbed the highest mountain in the Czech Republic and swam in remote Mexican jungle ponds called ceynotes.

 

As GED administrator and senior associate, Dr. B.J. Helton’s responsibilities include ensuring accessible testing and compliance with national GED Testing Service policies and procedures, supporting and monitoring GED test centers, and overseeing scoring and accommodated testing.  A KYAE employee for five years, B.J. also serves on the Leadership Team responsible for policy development.

 

Motivated by her past experiences, B.J. says, “I want to give back what my teachers gave me – opportunity, encouragement and self-esteem.”  In her professional life, she enjoys “helping young people and adults get a second chance, working with dedicated providers and seeing new initiatives grow.”  B.J. was surprised at KYAE’s recent GED Conference with an award of appreciation from Kentucky GED examiners.

 

B.J. earned degrees from Indiana University (bachelor’s), Morehead State University (master’s) and Florida State University (doctorate).  She lives in Frankfort with her husband of 29 years; she has three grown children and two grandchildren. 

 

Fun facts:  B.J. is an avid basketball fan (UK, U of L and high school), compulsively works the daily crossword puzzle and says George Clooney is the second coming of Clark Gable!

 

As senior associate for planning and policy, Janet Hoover oversees internal communications and marketing, policy development, grant processes and writing and updating KYAE’s state plan.

During her three years at KYAE, Janet says she has “enjoyed contributing to making a difference in the lives of thousands of Kentuckians and helping to make the Commonwealth a better place to live.” Previously, Janet was the communications director for the Cabinet for Workforce Development.

Even though Janet’s parents did not have the opportunity to attend college, they made sure that she, her brother and sister did. “Adult educators can play the same role with adults whose families have not encouraged education,” she said. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and government from Western Kentucky University. She lives in Woodford County with her husband of 25 years.

Fun fact: Janet and her husband own five acres that they have filled with trees, shrubs and garden beds, including a small Japanese garden.

Don Howerton is the program support associate working with 24 Western Kentucky counties in Region 1. Prior to joining the KYAE staff 11 years ago, Don worked for Hopkins County Adult Education as an instructor in the learning center, local businesses and industry, the detention center and in the PACE program. Prior to his work in adult education, he was a middle school history teacher.

Don’s educational background includes a master’s degree and Rank 1 in education. He says his work in adult education is important because “adult education gives everyone a second opportunity for success.”

Don lives in Hanson with his wife and two children, ages 5 and 7.

Fun fact: Don enjoys running, motorcycling and spending enormous amounts of time with his children.

Dr. Sandra Kestner, a 20-year KYAE veteran, is the instruction and program support senior associate.  In that role, she directs all statewide professional development activities, oversees technical assistance, manages PDtrack and facilitates Orientation to Adult Education and Program Leadership, Part I and II.  Sandy also serves on the Leadership Team responsible for policy development.

 

Sandy has degrees from the University of Kentucky (bachelor’s, Rank I and doctorate) and Morehead State University (master’s).  A career educator (she taught science at middle and high school and nutrition at the community college level), Sandy says her job allows her the pleasure of “seeing how professional development ultimately leads to improving the lives of undereducated adults.”

 

She lives in Lexington and has two grown children.  Sandy became a new grandmother on July 10 and expects her second grandchild to arrive at Thanksgiving.

 

Fun facts:  Sandy plays golf in her spare time and is considered the resident Feng Shui expert at KYAE.

 

As KYAE’s distance learning coordinator for nearly two years, Erika provides training and support on KYVAE resources, coordinates KYVAE enhancements to meet provider and student needs, evaluates potential new products, and works with vendors to stay informed of the latest technology.

With a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a master’s in educational psychology (emphasis in instructional design and technology), Erika has a diverse professional background. For 10 years, she ran a small business offering instructional design and technical writing. She has also worked as an administrator and teacher for a corporate learning center, a bank examiner and a commercial bond underwriter.

Erika says the best parts of her job are working with providers to help them understand and utilize technology in the classroom and redesigning KYVAE functionality to meet the needs of educators and students.

Fun fact: “My husband and I love to scuba dive whenever we have the opportunity to travel.  If it were up to me, I would travel the world in my wetsuit looking for the next great dive site.”

Marilyn Lyons is a senior associate responsible for research and data analysis in program performance, instructional strategies and best practices. Marilyn has been on the KYAE staff for one year; she was previously an assistant dean at the University of Kentucky Graduate School, where she worked for eight years.

Marilyn has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology and a master’s in higher education, both from UK. She is working on an educational policy studies and evaluation doctorate at UK.  Marilyn enjoys analyzing and interpreting data using SAS, her favorite statistical software.

She says she enjoys her work because “adult education offers a second chance to fill dreams for many Kentuckians.” Citing the 11 percent of Kentuckians in below basic prose and below basic document literacy and 20 percent in below basic quantitative literacy, according to the 2003 literacy survey, she says it’s exciting to be part of the effort to raise educational attainment in Kentucky.

Marilyn lives in Lexington with her 16-year-old daughter, Brittany, and two “spoiled rotten” Shih Tzu puppies – Dyamond Champagne and Precious Ruby.

Fun fact: "I joined a church bowling team and learned that, although I am right handed, I bowl better with my left hand!"

Linda Pankratz, who has been at KYAE since August 2005, has recently taken on the new role of program support associate for Region 3.  Linda has 17 years experience providing support to local providers from her work in the Office of Employment and Training.  She has a background in employer relations, Rapid Response for dislocated workers and labor market information and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Jacksonville State University in Alabama.  

She says through her work with Rapid Response, “I have witnessed many success stories of dislocated workers who received their GED and went on to higher education and high-demand occupations that will ensure them a job for years to come.”

Linda lives in Versailles with her husband of 36 years.  They have two daughters who are both teachers in the public school system.

Fun fact:  Linda enjoys traveling all over the United States, playing bridge and taking care of Maggie, her adopted dog.

Most adult educators know Donna Potter from her role as the KYAE family literacy staff person over the past several years.  As announced last fall, Donna is now a program support associate working with counties in Region 4. 

 

Donna has been with KYAE for eight years and has an education background.  She was a kindergarten teacher, an adult education instructor and a family resource center coordinator before joining the KYAE staff.  She has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and has taken graduate classes at UK, Georgetown College and Penn State.

 

She says her work in adult education is rewarding because “we help people see there is a way for them and their family to have a new beginning.”  She lives in Lexington with her bichon frise dog, Ellie, and has two grown children living in Florida.

 

Fun fact:  On December 30, Donna’s son married a beautiful young woman with a five-year-old, making Donna a mother-in-law and a grandmother at the same time!

 

If your work involves AERIN, you’ve probably talked with Tammy Powers, a KYAE information specialist.  Among Tammy’s duties are resolving AERIN user issues, running monthly performance reports for analysis, and preparing maps and charts.

 

Tammy has worked in KYAE for 15 years.  In her current job, she enjoys working with providers and helping solve data entry issues.  With three family members who have earned GEDs, Tammy has seen close-up the importance of the achievement.  “I have seen how much time, hard work and patience it takes from the learner and the provider to make such an accomplishment,” she said.  “Everything I do is worthwhile when there are students who can’t read and, with the help of an adult education center, they earn a GED and even go on to postsecondary education.”

 

Tammy lives in Owen County with her husband, seven-year-old son, two dogs, a cat and sea monkeys.

 

Fun fact:  Tammy loves to camp, fish, scrapbook and cross-stitch.

 

As a senior associate, Meryl leads KYAE’s newly created curriculum and instruction team focusing on content standards, GED for college prep, Developmental Education Task Force recommendations, learning disabilities, increased learning gains and distance learning.

 

Meryl recently retired from Jefferson County Public Schools with experience in adult education as well as elementary, middle and high school.  Her area of expertise is special learning needs.  Meryl has a Rank 1 certification and degrees from the University of Illinois Chicago and Illinois State University.

 

“Helping students have success and reach their goals is my passion,” she says of working in adult education.  “I love the challenge of being able to make an impact and change lives.”

 

Meryl, who has four adult children, lives in Louisville with her husband and white bichon frise. 

 

Fun fact:  Meryl’s husband owns horses, and she often goes to tracks around the country to watch them race – she especially likes being in the winner’s circle.

 

Toni Quire, a KYAE information specialist, has wide-ranging job responsibilities, including answering PDtrack questions and providing technical assistance, maintaining the KYAE and KYVAE Web sites, managing logistics and details for regional meetings and KYAE conferences, organizing the online GED testing calendar and participating in technology meetings regarding AERIN, eRMA and PDtrack.

 

Toni’s career has been dedicated to furthering education in Kentucky – she joined the KYAE staff in February 2001 after serving 16 years with the Kentucky Association of School Administrators and nearly eight years with the Kentucky Department of Education.  In her KYAE role, she says she enjoys “learning new and innovative procedures that help adult education providers and our staff best use their time and energy as they provide adult education services.”

 

Fun fact:  Toni lives on 40 acres on the Shelby-Franklin County line in a log cabin she and her brother built 23 years ago.  Living with Toni are her “beautiful 73-year-old mother” and a menagerie of animals.

 

Rae Smith, a three-year KYAE employee, is a GED associate and chief examiner.  Her duties include training GED examiners, supervising test administrations, monitoring test centers, writing and updating the KYAE GED Handbook, and reviewing test accommodations requests.

 

Rae has been a GED examiner since 1997, including four years as chief examiner at Frankfort/Franklin County Community Education and assignments at Elizabethtown Community College and Jefferson Technical College.  Rae says working directly with GED candidates and graduates is “inspiring.”

 

“There are as many reasons as there are people as to why someone does not finish school,” she said.  “The GED provides the opportunity for people to demonstrate the skills and knowledge necessary to earn a high school credential that will help them obtain employment and grant them admission to postsecondary education.”

 

Rae and her husband live in Frankfort’s historic Capitol district; they have four children.  Rae has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky.

 

Fun fact:  Rae grew up in Jenkins, Kentucky, down the hill from the “Welcome to Virginia” sign.

 

As KYAE’s associate vice president, Reecie Stagnolia provides support to the vice president and leadership in administrative areas, including contract and agreements, budget, finance, policy development and legislative issues.

Reecie has been part of the adult education team for 14 years and has served in several capacities. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in business administration.

Reecie’s great passion for adult education comes from personal experience. “I’ve seen firsthand the impact of obtaining a GED, transitioning to postsecondary education, becoming successful in the workplace and impacting a local community for many years,” he said. “That describes my father. What we do every day is so important because it ripples on many lives for years to come.”

Reecie lives in Lexington with his wife, Kathi, 14-year old son, Matthew, and 11-year old daughter, Kaitlyn. He spends his free time volunteering as president of the local Babe Ruth baseball league and as an elder in his church.

Fun fact: The Stagnolia Family also includes Zoe, a 2-year-old bichon frise; Cinnamon, a guinea pig; Madison, a gerbil; and Orkin and Raid, Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

As executive secretary, Ginny Sullivan provides vital support to KYAE Vice President Sarah Hindman Hawker and Associate Vice President Reecie Stagnolia as well as general operational support for the KYAE unit.

 

A 10-year KYAE employee, Ginny has an associate’s degree in office administration from Kentucky State University.  Prior to joining KYAE, she worked for the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives.

 

Ginny says no two workdays are the same – an aspect of the job she enjoys.  While not on the front-line of adult education, she says, “I view myself as one stitch in the fabric that makes up Kentucky’s adult education system.”  Ginny transferred to another state agency a few years ago but returned to KYAE within a few months because, she says, “my heart is in adult education.”

 

Fun facts:  Ginny is an Oakland Raiders fan, likes country and 80s metal music and recently took up line dancing as a hobby.

 

Terry Tackett is an associate who has been part of the KYAE staff for 10 years.  He manages the AERIN database, ensures compliance with NRS requirements and provides AERIN training and assistance to adult educators.  He says the best parts of his job are working with people and dealing with something new every day.

 

Terry, who has a bachelor’s degree in business management from Morehead State University, previously worked in the Cabinet for Workforce Development and the Kentucky Department of Education.  He lives in Frankfort with his wife and “two wonderful kids” – a son and daughter. 

 

Fun fact:  Terry recently became a “cheer Dad,” when his 12-year-old daughter became a middle school cheerleader.

 

Jim Thompson has been a KYAE staff member for 12 years. His responsibilities include coordinating the SkillMobile schedule, serving as economic development liaison and e3 project team member.

Jim previously worked for the Economic Development Cabinet for 16 years. He just completed his term as chairman for the Kentucky Association of Economic Development. His past involvement in economic development strengthens his belief that “adult education is essential in increasing the skills of the Commonwealth’s workforce and meeting the needs of business and industry.” Jim says the most rewarding part of his job is being able to provide on-site training with the SkillMobile.

Jim lives in Frankfort and enjoys the outdoors, playing golf and hunting. He has one daughter, Whitney, a freshman at Eastern Kentucky University and member of the Eastern Kentucky University golf team.  Fun fact: Jim is the director of his church’s annual holiday production, Christmas in Mayberry, and also plays the character Otis.

Amanda Walker is an executive secretary assisting PD staff members.  Among her many duties are scheduling meetings, preparing materials for meetings and trainings and processing travel paperwork.  She has been part of the KYAE staff for nearly a year and a half.

 

She has completed two years at the University of Kentucky and plans to pursue her degree in computer information systems this fall at Midway College.  Amanda and her husband live in Midway with their two boys, Samuel, age 3, and Oliver, age 1, and two kitties who consider themselves part of the family – Sega, a black Bombay, and Bartleby, a gray tabby.

 

Fun fact:  Amanda loves to cook, bake, paint and work in her garden.  A confirmed “homebody,” she is happiest when at home with family and friends.

 

As KYAE’s senior associate for program support, David Walters coordinates and manages the new team of six program support associates working directly with county programs. 

 

Before joining the KYAE staff seven-and-a-half years ago, David worked for four years as an adult education instructor and program director in Perry County, part of the Kentucky Valley Educational Cooperative.  David has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in adult and higher education.

 

David says his work is more than a job – “It’s a mission to assist undereducated adults in Kentucky so they can be better prepared for postsecondary education and employment and become more productive citizens and family members.”  He enjoys assisting adult education programs, answering programmatic questions and listening to concerns and issues.

 

David lives in Midway, is married and has three children – Zach, 12; Jackson, 3; and Jenna, 9 months – and a nine-year old black labrador.

 

Fun fact:  David enjoys cooking and gardening and often shares home-grown vegetables with the KYAE staff.

 

Melissa Wireman is a KYAE information specialist working in the area of communications and marketing.  Among her responsibilities are management of content on the KYAE Web site, administration of the Amazon.com-funded Go, Earn, Do – GED test fee reimbursement program and assisting with internal communications and marketing.

 

A three-year KYAE staff member, Melissa previously worked as a graphic artist for the Thoroughbred Times.  She has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Morehead State University and is currently working on a master’s degree in adult and higher education from Morehead State University.

 

She enjoys her work in KYAE because of the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.  Melissa says in her home county, nearly 43 percent of the working-age population does not have a high school diploma or GED.  “I personally know the importance of education and am passionate about demonstrating the benefits to others,” she said. 

 

Fun fact:  Melissa is addicted to People magazine.