Two Bardstown City Schools administrators will participate as members of the 2023 cohort of Kentucky Women in Education Leadership (KWEL).
Dana Cull, supervisor of instruction for the district; and Amanda Nokes, assistant principal at Bardstown High School, were selected based on a competitive application process that focused on specific leadership criteria and will join 38 of the state’s top female executive educators at a leadership forum and induction ceremony in Louisville on Jan. 25-26. Each leader brings a myriad of educational experiences, talent, and the desire to ensure Kentucky’s children receive a world-class education.
In its sixth year, KWEL is designed for women working in P-12 public education who wish to strengthen or advance their careers. Members benefit from a support system, leadership development opportunities, career advancement, shared experience through a network of on-going professional growth and development, coaching and mentoring, and reward and recognition for exemplary leaders.
“Mrs. Cull and Mrs. Nokes are a testament to the quality of our diverse leadership team,” said Dr. Ryan Clark, superintendent of Bardstown City Schools. “ I am so proud of both of them and appreciate the high quality professional learning they will both experience as a member of the 2023 KWEL Cohort. Our students will be the ultimate benefactor from this training and I know how committed both of these women are to serving the needs of students.”
For the past two school years Amanda Nokes has served 9-12 grade students as the assistant principal at Bardstown High School. Her previous experience includes 8 years in exceptional child education, an assistant principal at New Haven School, and an exceptional child education implementation coach at Stuart Academy. “My hope from this experience is to meet and learn from like-minded women who are excelling in the education field to expand my own professional knowledge, while also making meaningful relationships with women I can grow with through my career,” Nokes said.
Cull, who joined BCS in 2021, now oversees curriculum, instruction, assessment, and programs in the district; manages teacher evaluations; and oversees federal grants. Previously, she was a principal for nine years, an instructional coach, and spent the first 12 years of her career as an educator in the classroom teaching fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students. “When we stop learning and growing, we stop living, “ said Cull. “I am honored to be a female in a profession that has been fulfilling for me and a blessing for my life. My greatest hope in this journey is to be the best I can be in my current role and lead with heart and passion.