© 2024 Louisville Public Media

Public Files:
89.3 WFPL · 90.5 WUOL-FM · 91.9 WFPK

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact info@lpm.org or call 502-814-6500
89.3 WFPL News | 90.5 WUOL Classical 91.9 WFPK Music | KyCIR Investigations
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Stream: News Music Classical

JCPS reassigns Kentucky High School Teacher of the Year

Breckinridge Metropolitan High School social studies teacher Kumar Rashad
Stephanie Wolf
/
LPM
Breckinridge Metropolitan High School social studies teacher Kumar Rashad in his classroom in 2021.

Kentucky’s 2024 High School Teacher of the Year Kumar Rashad has been reassigned to noninstructional duties.

Rashad was named Kentucky’s high school teacher of the year earlier this fall. He is a longtime educator in Jefferson County Public Schools and was most recently teaching at Breckinridge Metropolitan High School, an alternative school that serves students who are involved in the criminal justice system.

Rashad also serves as the District 3 representative for Louisville Metro Council, and is running for vice president of the Jefferson County Teachers Association.

Rashad has been outspoken in his career about making education more inclusive of Black students and Black history. He teaches math and “Black Historical Consciousness” and was featured in LPM’s 2022 radio documentary “A Critical Moment.

Rashad declined a request for comment. The district confirmed he had been reassigned but would not provide more information.

Reassignments to noninstructional positions are often associated with a pending investigation or disciplinary action.

Rashad has been disciplined before. He faced reprimand over a 2018 email he sent to then-Commissioner of Education Wayne Lewis taking issue with the former commissioner’s views on charter schools.

Rashad agreed to professionalism training at the end of an investigation by JCPS and the state Education Professional Standards Board.

Support for this story was provided in part by the Jewish Heritage Fund.

Tags
News JCPSYouth Reporting
Jess Clark is LPMs Education and Learning Reporter. Email Jess at jclark@lpm.org.

Can we count on your support?

Louisville Public Media depends on donations from members – generous people like you – for the majority of our funding. You can help make the next story possible with a donation of $10 or $20. We'll put your gift to work providing news and music for our diverse community.