(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Three Kentucky educators will participate in the state's first program to train and support minorities interested in becoming school superintendents.
The Minority Superintendent Intern Program (MSIP) will place educators in school districts for one year, where they will serve as assistants to successful superintendents. Currently, Kentucky has no minority school superintendents in its 176 school districts.
Superintendents in the Daviess County, Oldham County and Shelby County school districts have agreed to host the interns.
The three interns are:
* Sara Elaine Farris, elementary school director, Fayette County (interning in Shelby County) -- Farris, a resident of Winchester, earned bachelor's and master's degrees and her Rank I certification from Eastern Kentucky University. She holds a certification in administration and supervision from the University of Kentucky. Farris has 25 years of experience in education in Clark and Fayette Counties.
* Anthony Ray Sanders, principal, Highland Elementary, Christian County (interning in Daviess County) -- Sanders, a resident of Hopkinsville, earned a bachelor's degree from Western Kentucky University and a master's degree, Rank I and educational administration certification from Murray State University. He also is a doctoral candidate at the University of Louisville. Sanders has 17 years of experience as an educator in Hopkins and Christian Counties.
* Youlanda Washington, Ph.D., principal, Pierce Primary School, Fort Knox Community Schools (interning in Oldham County) -- Washington, a resident of Radcliff, earned bachelor's and master's degrees and a Rank I from Western Kentucky University. She also earned a doctorate in K-12 administration from the University of Louisville. Washington has 15 years of experience in education in Hardin County and Fort Knox schools.
"We're very pleased with the caliber of the applicants for this program," said Kentucky Education Commissioner Gene Wilhoit. "More than 20 individuals applied, and the selection committee selected these three after careful consideration. I believe they will prove to be excellent candidates for superintendent positions."
The interns will develop individual growth plans and have regular meetings and networking sessions with superintendents, board of education members and search firms. Interns also will get practical experience with public relations, curriculum/assessment/instruction issues, labor relations, human resources, facility management and finance and budgeting.
The interns will begin their work on June 23.
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