Kentucky
Many Kentucky school districts still dealing with teacher shortages
WILMORE, Ky. (WKYT) – Many Kentucky school districts are faced with teacher shortages, and few applicants are interested in openings.
Hannah Williams is in her fourth year of teaching. She started during the COVID-19 years and has seen a lot of challenges—not to mention issues with pay or pensions—but she says the rewards are so much greater.
“Every year, I get to see these new kids, and I get to help them grow. And get to watch them continue to learn. It is just wonderful,” she said.
She teaches in Mercer County, a school district not seeing tremendous shortages, but elsewhere in the state’s it’s pretty bad.
“The teacher shortage in Kentucky is virtually everywhere. I don’t go into any school where they tell me they are not in need of teachers,” said David Kiel with Asbury University.
Asbury University hosted Educators Rising to help districts find potential teaching candidates.
“We have 200, from as far away as Knott County; those students got on a bus at 6, rode up to participate in today’s event,” said Kiel.
Another superintendent in southern Kentucky said that positions that used to attract 30 to 40 applicants now only attract about 10 or so. And positions in math, science, and special education are even harder to fill.
Williams says she just knew she wanted to impact kids and help them throughout the year.
“If I can bring a little bit of joy to learning and make it something they want to do every day, that is such a success for me,” Williams said.
“I want to deal with people on a daily basis and make an impact. I feel teaching is the best way to do that,” said Jared Harned, who is an Asbury student who wants to be a middle or high school social studies teacher.
Teachers and teaching candidates say often the reward is simply seeing a learning transformation.
Asbury University officials say they also want to encourage teachers to stay in their home communities.
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Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
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