Matthew Kaufmann has been building coalitions of students, teachers, and community partners since he began teaching in 2007. He believes schools are a microcosm of society where we learn to work, grow, think, fail, succeed, and become who we are- together. He believes students learn and grow most when the material is relevant and meaningful to them, and that when we follow this kind of model in education, students are passionate about the work they’re engaged in and closer to defining their purpose.

He graduated from Bellarmine in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts. He completed three different graduate programs at the University of Louisville, earning his Education Specialist (Ed. S) degree in 2017. He ran for Kentucky State Senate in 2018. He is the 2020 Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year. He is the 2020 Funds for the Arts Equity Award Winner. He’s coached multiple Aspen Challenge Teams, including the winning team in 2020.. His students have presented at High Tech High in San Diego, California, to legislators and business leaders from across the country in Washington D.C., and a plethora of stages in between from Kentucky Center for the Arts, to Actors Theatre, and a wide array of communities where his students have moved the hearts and minds of audiences to stand to their feet and support their missions.

He is humbled, honored, and excited to lead Justice Now alongside his co-founder, NyRee Clayton-Taylor. He believes in this intergenerational, intersectional, and interdisciplinary movement that will create today’s non-profit leaders, entrepreneurs, citizen lobbyists, and tomorrow’s legislators.

He is supported by his wife Stephanie Kornexl-Kaufmann. This year, together, they welcomed their first born child: Rosa Sophia Justice Kaufmann. They have two dogs named Hannah and Teddy.

To engage, enlighten, and educate is NyRee Clayton-Taylor’s focus as she uses her creative writing class to explore the therapeutic healing of writing to encourage her students to write to heal.

Growing up in the west end of Louisville, NyRee grew up with many of the same challenges that many students in Kentucky are faced with today and believes teachers can help students find their purpose. As a child, NyRee gravitated towards educators who recognized her potential and let her use her talents to learn specific skills. This factor was her biggest influence in becoming an educator today. She understands the power of letting students be their authentic selves and offers them the tools to enhance their talents.

NyRee has presented at many conferences in and out of Kentucky and has won many awards. She has even been recognized by Louisville Metro Council for her service to the community. While she is proud of these accomplishments, she is most proud of the fact that students in Jefferson County will lead the way using the curriculum of Justice Now to create change in our community.

Envision Equity November 2020

Students push for passing of CROWN Act, say they've faced discrimination about their hairstyle