Dr. Lauren Brewer Named 2025-2026 Innovative Teacher Fellow A Star in Kentucky Education

Dr. Lauren Brewer Named 2025-2026

Innovative Teacher Fellow

A Star in Kentucky Education

Sasha Bush

The Ashland Beacon

Greenup County High School’s very own Dr. Lauren Brewer has been selected as one of only 10 teachers across Kentucky to join the 2025-2026 Innovative Teacher Fellowship, a prestigious honor bestowed by the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE). It’s a moment worth celebrating — and if you know anything about Dr. Brewer, you know this recognition is very well deserved.

The KDE describes the fellowship recipients as “teachers committed to transforming education in Kentucky by championing innovative practices and fostering a collaborative culture.” That description fits Dr. Brewer to a T.

If you've ever stepped foot into Dr. Brewer’s classroom at GCHS, you’ve probably done a double-take. It’s not your average high school English room. With chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, carefully curated artwork, and vibrant decorations, her space feels more like a boutique café in downtown Manhattan than a high school classroom.

“It comes as no surprise that Dr. Brewer is now part of such an exciting fellowship. If you'd see her classroom, you'd know what we mean,” shared Greenup County Schools on their official Facebook page. “Between the artwork, decorations, and chandeliers she's installed onto her classroom ceiling... it feels like a setting in a movie in downtown Manhattan! The learning you see happening amongst her students is equally as inspiring.”

Its clear Dr. Brewer doesn’t just teach English — she creates an immersive learning environment where students feel inspired, empowered, and ready to take ownership of their learning.

The Innovative Teacher Fellowship, part of the Kentucky Innovative Learning Network (KY ILN), selects just 10 exceptional educators each year from across the Commonwealth. It is a competitive and forward-thinking program designed to equip teacher-leaders with tools, training, and resources to develop and implement cutting-edge, student-centered learning projects.

The program's goals align with KDE’s bold "United We Learn" vision — a statewide commitment to creating vibrant learning experiences, accelerating innovation, and building a bold new future through collaboration with communities.

The fellowship supports teachers like Dr. Brewer in designing and implementing transformative classroom projects, leading professional learning within their schools and across the state, engaging community partners in student learning, and promoting educational equity and excellence.

Dr. Brewer is ready to take this opportunity and run with it… “The focus of the fellowship reflects what we’re trying to do here at GC,” Brewer shared. She also emphasized the incredible support she receives from her home district: “GC has supported and encouraged me to embrace innovative strategies, and I'm excited to share my knowledge from this fellowship with others. I feel appreciated here, which goes a long way to energize me as a teacher.”

This fellowship isn't just about cool classroom décor or creative lesson plans — it’s about deeply impactful educational innovation. Teachers in the program are challenged to create projects that rethink traditional teaching, embrace personalized and competency-based learning, introduce high-quality, relevant assessments, and involve community partnerships for real-world connections.

Each fellow also receives ongoing professional development, support from the KDE’s Division of Innovation, and a statewide platform to share successes and lessons learned.

It’s a chance to not only innovate, but to lead — something Dr. Brewer already does naturally in her classroom and school community.

Greenup County Schools couldn’t be more proud — and rightfully so. They’ve long recognized Dr. Brewer’s talent, dedication, and creative spark. Now, the entire state gets to witness her brilliance.

This isn’t just a win for Dr. Brewer. It’s a win for her students, her school, her colleagues, and the entire Greenup County community. With this fellowship, she’ll be able to bring back new ideas, strategies, and inspiration that ripple through classrooms and hallways.

Dr. Brewer joins a statewide cohort of visionary educators who are reimagining what school can be. Through her work in this fellowship, she’ll develop innovative practices that will directly impact students not only in Greenup County, but across Kentucky.

She’s already a changemaker. This fellowship simply gives her a bigger stage.

So, once again, let’s say it loud and proud… Congratulations to Dr. Lauren Brewer! Your hard work, passion, and creativity are lighting the way forward in Kentucky education. We can’t wait to see what you do next!