The MSIP places educators in school districts for two years, where they serve as assistants to successful superintendents. Each intern develops an individual growth plan and has regular meetings and networking sessions with the superintendent, board of education members and search firms. The intern receives practical experience with public relations, curriculum/assessment/instruction issues, labor relations, human resources, facility management, finance and budgeting.
During the 2003-04 school year, three internships were awarded:
Elaine Farris, an elementary school director in Fayette County, interned with of Leon Mooneyhan, Shelby County superintendent. After completing the internship program, Farris became the first minority superintendent in Kentucky history when she accepted the position of superintendent for the Shelby County school district on July 1, 2004. Later, Farris served as Interim Education Commissioner for the Kentucky Department of Education. Ms. Farris is the first African American to hold this position. She currently serves as the superintendent for the Clark County school district.
Anthony Ray Sanders, principal at Highland Elementary in Christian County, interned with Stu Silberman, Daviess County superintendent.
Youlanda Washington, Ph.D., principal at Pierce Primary School in Fort Knox Community Schools, interned under the leadership of Blake Haselton, Oldham County superintendent.
During the 2004-05 school year, KDE awarded two internships:
Aundrea Locke, an assistant principal in the Ft. Knox Community Schools, interned with Janice Lantz, Nelson County superintendent and Blake Haselton, Oldham County superintendent.
Diane Woods, middle school director in Fayette County, interned with Roger Marcum, Marion County superintendent and Stu Silberman, Fayette County superintendent. Woods served as the superintendent for Campbellsville Independent school district until her retirement in 2009.
During the 2007-08 school year, the department awarded the internship to:
Demetria Choice, principal for the Northern Kentucky Education Cooperative, interned with Tim Hanner, Kenton County superintendent. Choice is currently serving as a principal in the Christian County school district.
During the 2008-09 school year, the department awarded two internships to:
Donald W. Smith, instructional leader for Harrodsburg/Mercer County Public Schools, interned with Richard Webb, superintendent of Burgin Independent Schools. Smith was actively involved in the transition of the Harrodsburg and Mercer County merger. In the spring of 2009, Smith accepted the position of superintendent in the Marion County School District. He is the first African American male to become a superintendent in Kentucky.
Wade Standfield, assistant principal at Henry Clay High School in Fayette County, completed his internship in Fayette County Public Schools.
Most recently, the department awarded an internship to:
Ann Lyttle-Burns, Ph.D., coordinator of home and hospital services and several other special programs for Fayette County public school students, interned under Superintendent Elaine Farris, superintendent with Clark County public schools. Lyttle-Burns recently received the Outstanding School Administrator of the Year Award.