April Pieper named KDE’s new director of state schools

April Pieper has been named director of state colleges on the Kentucky Division of Schooling (KDE). 

Pieper, who was named to the place on Sept. 14, most just lately served as schooling program supervisor in KDE’s Workplace of Particular Schooling and Early Studying.

As director of the division of state colleges, Pieper will present oversight of the operations and administration of the Kentucky Faculty for the Blind (KSB) in Louisville and the Kentucky Faculty for the Deaf (KSD) in Danville whereas additionally offering help to highschool leaders and dealing with stakeholders to enhance pupil outcomes. 

“I’m very enthusiastic about this chance,” Pieper mentioned. “I do know each KSB and KSD have very wealthy group histories and involvement and I’m wanting ahead to working with them to assist their college students obtain their objectives.”

Previous to becoming a member of KDE, Pieper taught highschool English for 12 years. She holds a bachelor’s diploma in English schooling, two masters’ levels in curriculum and instruction and schooling administration and she or he accomplished coursework on a doctorate in academic management by way of Walden College earlier than transferring her work to Murray State College to pursue the schooling specialty program.

She additionally earned certifications in English schooling (grades 7-12), supervisor of curriculum, director of pupil personnel, director of particular schooling, college principal, district finance officer and superintendent.

All through her time at KDE, Pieper has labored intently with the Workplace of Instructing and Studying in main statewide response to intervention work, in addition to school and profession readiness initiatives. She additionally has labored with the Workplace of Evaluation and Accountability on school and profession readiness and various evaluation, and the Workplace of Profession and Technical Schooling on profession readiness measures and writing curriculum.

Pieper additionally has labored with the Kentucky Academic Collaborative for State Company Youngsters and the Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Schooling and Grownup Schooling, now a part of the Cupboard for Schooling and Workforce Improvement, to bridge the hole between PreK-12 studying and various packages or the transition to postsecondary schooling.

As a part of her work, Pieper helped deliver KDE’s perspective to the Kentucky Academic Collaborative for State Company Youngsters and Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Schooling and towards constant language and practices between the companies.

Commissioner of Schooling Jason E. Glass, who serves as superintendent of each KSB and KSD, mentioned Pieper’s huge expertise in schooling will serve each colleges and college students effectively.

“I’m excited to have April step up and take this function,” he mentioned. “Her background in school and profession readiness, in addition to in profession and technical schooling, can be priceless as we proceed working to make sure our college students are effectively ready to observe their goals for all times after commencement.”

Pieper believes that every one college students needs to be afforded ample experiences and alternatives to assist them achieve success and to fulfill their tutorial and profession objectives.

She mentioned that her precedence for this new place is to “work with the employees and school on each campuses to make sure that the scholars are secure, wholesome and reaching at excessive ranges.”