This week on Innovations in Education for a Big Bold Future, we continued to explore the impact that the America Rescue Plan will have on students in Kentucky’s K-12 public school system. We were joined by Dr. Stephen Pruitt, President of the Southern Regional Education Board, and Michael Petrilli, President of the Fordham Institute.

Last year, all of us experienced a mentally challenging year and are finally feeling some stress relief as vaccines have become more widely available across the state. During a Mental Health America of Kentucky webinar last week, Gov. Andy Beshear noted that $19.5 million in federal funds have been allocated for mental health outside of schools, and more is available for this important cause in the education portion of the American Recovery Plan.

The first time I read the National Board’s seminal text, What Teachers Should Know and Be Able to Do, I felt seen, heard and valued. The text was written by teachers and for teachers. It makes it clear that our work as teachers and learners is difficult. Not in the way that parents post on social media that teachers should be paid a million dollars after trying to manage virtual school. Or in the way that makes teachers sound like super-human beings. We don’t have super powers. We work. The National Board made my work more focused and effective.

With hopeful signs that the pandemic’s grip is loosening, we can start to focus on recovery and we have a lot of catching up to do. That’s especially the case with schoolchildren. Despite the heroic efforts of educators across the Commonwealth, many students lost ground over the past year. Far too many are struggling with lost instruction time, social isolation, hunger and mental health challenges. Now more than ever, we need to deliver innovative solutions that will accelerate students’ learning and recovery.