With over 18 years of dedicated experience in education, Mr. Jason Alexander has positively impacted the students, staff, and families at Robert B. Turner Elementary. His journey began in the classroom as a special education teacher where he passionately supported students with diverse learning needs for 11 years.  After a year serving in an administrative support role assisting the interim principal, Mr. Alexander was selected as Turner's next principal. 

Now in his seventh year as principal at Robert B. Turner Elementary, Mr. Alexander is committed to fostering a positive learning atmosphere for all students and staff.  Robert B. Turner fosters a family atmosphere and a strong history of academic excellence, having achieved recognition in the top 10% of the state for assessment scores. His leadership focuses on collaboration, building teacher leaders, and enhancing community and parent engagement, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed.

I am honored and blessed to serve on the Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy for this important work.  I am blessed with the opportunity to represent Robert B. Turner Elementary and the Anderson County school district.  I feel a calling to serve and help people, in any way possible.  Through the Numeracy Counts work I know that I can do that.  I have seen a shift here at RBT in how we as educators think about and teach our students.  This change has allowed our students to think and provide multiple strategies for solving math problems without fear of failure.  The confidence I’ve seen both in our students and teachers is incredible.  Through this work, I hope to develop more teacher leaders and educators excited and confident about teaching math while fostering a safe thriving learning atmosphere for our students to grow and succeed.

With a diverse background in education and communication, Brad Darnall brings a wealth of experience to his role as principal of South Marshall Elementary School in Benton, KY. Before becoming principal, he served as assistant principal at Benton Elementary for two years and spent 18 years as a middle school math and social studies teacher. His career began outside of education as a reporter for WPSD-TV, later transitioning to serve as the Public Relations/Community Liaison for Calloway County Schools. Throughout his career, Brad has been dedicated to fostering student success, particularly in mathematics. He was part of the team that selected and implemented Marshall County Schools’ High-Quality Instructional Resource (HQIR) for math, ensuring that students and teachers have access to the best tools for learning.

Brad is passionate about his work with the Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy because he believes math instruction deserves its moment in the spotlight. He is excited to collaborate with other principals and educators to strengthen math education across the state. By improving math proficiency, he hopes to empower both students and teachers, ensuring that every child gains the skills they need for future success.

Mrs. Kim Gatton started her teaching career as a high school chemistry teacher who was passionate not only about science but also about math in her classroom.  She wrapped up her high school time in the role of Assistant Principal before moving into her current position, Calhoun Elementary School Principal, for the past 6 years.  

During my tenure as an educator, there has been a common theme among student math performance in the classroom: students who believe they can do math vs. students who believe they can not do math.  Their grit in solving math problems are vastly different.  

"I hope to be a part of a solution that develops the minds of early learners to have the strategies and skills to not only persevere but to thrive in the math classroom at all levels. " 

Principal James Hood has a robust background in educational leadership, marked by his dedication to fostering academic growth and professional development. With over 17 years of experience in education, including his current role as the principal at Rodburn Elementary in Rowan County, where he is completing his 5th year, Principal Hood has made significant contributions to his school community.

Before becoming a principal, he spent 12 years teaching middle school, which has given him a deep understanding of both the classroom and the broader educational system. He has also been a key player in leading district-level professional learning initiatives, helping to enhance the skills of educators within his district.

Through his work with Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), Mr. Hood has been instrumental in aligning math instruction with High-Quality Instructional Routines (HQIR) in Rowan County. His commitment to strengthening math education has made a lasting impact on both teachers and students, ensuring that best practices are consistently applied across the district.

Principal Hood is a certified leader in Project-Based Learning (PBL), serving both as a district and school-level PBL leader, guiding teams and projects aimed at fostering hands-on, student-centered learning. His leadership has been crucial in driving school-wide initiatives, particularly in the post-COVID era, where his efforts have resulted in academic improvements for students. Additionally, he has completed the prestigious National Institute for School Leadership and Truist Principal Leadership programs, as well as the LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling) training, equipping him with the tools and strategies necessary to thrive in leadership roles.

Through his work, Principal Hood has not only contributed to the professional development of educators but has also fostered an environment where students can continue to grow and succeed in the ever-changing landscape of education.

James shares, "I'm excited to participate in this program because it offers a unique opportunity to grow as a leader and advocate for high-quality mathematics education. Connecting with experts, learning from key legislation leaders, and gaining valuable resources will help push the boundaries of what we can achieve for our students."

Mrs. Becky Smith has 32 years in education, where she started as a middle school teacher.  After 13 years of teaching science, she spent 5 years as a Regional Teacher Partner with PIMSER and was part of the Master Teacher Project.  She served as a high school assistant principal in charge of instruction and assessment for 11 years, and this is her 3rd year as the principal of Mt. Vernon Elementary.  

She has spent countless hours developing high-quality professional development in the areas of science, math, and assessment. In addition to this, she has worked with teachers at the elementary level to improve their mathematics practice by better understanding student learning, the standards, and their HQIR's.   

Becky shares,"I am especially excited about this work because it includes professional development in elementary-level mathematics, equipping teachers and administrators to ensure students build a strong mathematical foundation." 

Mrs. Kristen Wheeler has twenty years of experience fostering academic excellence. Currently serving as the principal of East Valley Elementary in Morgan County, she has been leading for three years with a strong commitment to student success and teacher support. Mrs. Wheeler holds a bachelor's degree from Morehead State University, a Master's Degree from Union College, and a Rank I degree from the University of the Cumberlands. Her extensive background in education has equipped her with the skills to promote innovative teaching strategies and create a positive learning environment for all students. 

With a passion for mathematics education, Mrs. Wheeler has worked to implement data-driven instructional practices and student-centered learning approaches. She is excited to collaborate with strong leadership from across the state through the Numeracy Counts Administrator Academy to drive continuous improvement and state-wide student success in the area of mathematics. 

"I look forward to working with this dedicated group to inspire both students and educators while making a lasting impact on mathematics education in Kentucky." Kristen stated.