Fayette County Schools, June Harless Center honor teachers after year-and-a-half math fellowship; center donates classroom materials

The Fayette County Board of Education recognized a cohort of elementary and middle‑school educators Dec. 16 for completing a year‑and‑a‑half fellowship in mathematics with Marshall University’s June Harless Center. Elizabeth Crawford of the June Harless Center described the program as an “intense” sequence of video‑based reflections, peer visits and collaborative practice designed to deepen teachers’ mathematical instruction.

The district nomination and recognition took place near the start of the board’s regular meeting. Melissa Harrer introduced the June Harless participants and thanked the center for partnering with Fayette County Schools. “This training involves videoing themselves and providing reflections… there’s collaboration embedded, peer visits, walk‑throughs. It’s intense,” Harrer said, noting the work was not “just a set and get.”

Crawford urged the board to recognize teachers’ commitment to implementing research‑based practices. “Through this fellowship, they have engaged in reflective practice and embrace hands‑on learning strategies that deepen understanding and foster mathematical habits of mind,” she said. The Harless Center presented certificates and paused for a group photo of the cohort.

Board members also announced that the June Harless Center provided a large donation of manipulatives and classroom materials as a token of appreciation for the fellows’ work. The donation, the presenters said, will support hands‑on instruction the fellows learned during the program.

The board signaled interest in continuing the partnership; district staff noted plans to extend similar training to special‑education and multi‑category teachers in a future cohort. The recognitions closed with brief applause and holiday remarks from board members.

The board later moved to other agenda items, including grant announcements and routine business.