EXPLORING ALL THE OPTIONS

That notion “if you want something to get done, ask the busiest person you know,” applies to Macy Shelton, the Outstanding Undergraduate in Student Learning and Behavior Disorders for December 2023 Commencement. She earned a BS in K-5 and K-12 Education, in the Elementary (P-5) and Learning and Behavior Disorders (P-12) track, completing her degree early under the state’s Option 9 initiative — an expedited route to certification with a bachelor’s degree and initial certification within three school years while working in a nonteaching position in a school district.

“Once I found out about Option 9, I was so happy to know I could fully focus on my studies and professional development.” served as a “Near Peer” in the 4C Summer Bridge Program, tutoring middle-schoolers through the nonprofit Educational Justice and providing inhome applied behavioral analysis therapy.

Macy Shelton ’23

Shelton completed student teaching while working as an instructional assistant at Cane Run Elementary. She was hired there permanently and is now teaching first grade.

“I thought I would have to work evenings and weekends while student teaching full time,” Shelton said. “Once I found out about Option 9, I was so happy to know I could fully focus on my studies and professional development.”

A Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Shelton also

Asked how she managed to juggle it all, Shelton says, “It was a little hard, but I’ve always pushed myself to take on a lot of responsibilities. It helped that I felt a close connection with my professors, as a colleague almost. It wasn’t intimidating. The faculty have high expectations, but they also offer so much support.”

2024 Master Educator Course (MEC) concludes with success

More than 75 students participated in the annual Master Educator Course (MEC), a unique collaboration between the college’s Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation & Organizational Development and the U.S. Army Cadet Command. MEC offers participants 18 graduate credit hours and the opportunity to pursue an MA in Higher Education Administration at UofL.

Distinguished as the sole program of its kind in the country, MEC brings together instructors from across the United States. The program’s innovative approach and comprehensive curriculum include pedagogy and instructional strategies, learning sciences, curriculum development, and more.

Top & Middle: MEC students reviewing a map for class.

Bottom: The 2024 Alpha cohort.