University of Kentucky College of Education professor Beth Rous is one of six UK educators named a 2022 Great Teacher by the UK Alumni Association. She is a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership Studies.
Initiated in 1961, UK’s Great Teacher Award is the longest-running UK award recognizing teaching. In order to receive the award, educators must first be nominated by a student. The UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Committee, in cooperation with the student organization Omicron Delta Kappa, then makes the final selection. Recipients receive an engraved plaque and stipe
The winners were honored last night at the UK Alumni Association Great Teacher Award Recognition Dinner, and were later recognized during the Louisiana State University vs. Kentucky men’s basketball game that same evening.
UK’s 2022 Great Teachers are:
Beth Barnes — College of Communication and Information
Zachary Bray — J. David Rosenberg College of Law
Olivia Davis — Gatton College of Business and Economics
Jack Groppo — College of Engineering
Cortney Lollar — J. David Rosenberg College of Law
Beth Rous — College of Education
Christopher Joseph Hayden IV, a graduate student in Educational Leadership Studies, said what makes Rous unique as a professor is her personal commitment to students and their success.
“By no means will she ‘do it for you’ but she knows how to help a student gain the skills and tools they need to complete their pursuit. She never gives up on a student and will keep offering various ways to support.”
Hayden credits Rous’ “show” rather than “tell” teaching methods for his success in learning about educational leadership.
“I had never truly realized the idea of making students feel comfortable asking for help and providing opportunities for them to do that in a supportive and structured fashion until I experienced Dr. Rous’ approach through our program.”
Rous teaches courses in research methods. Her research agenda focuses on education policy, leadership and practices to support the design, implementation and large-scale implementation of programs. Her work has centered on cross-sector programs (education, health, and human services) designed to enhance the quality of services for vulnerable populations of children from birth through the early grades. Her research in this area has included accountability and standards, inclusion, online and hybrid learning, professional development, quality initiatives, and transition/school readiness.
Rous also serves as a research and policy associate at the Human Development Institute, serving as the founding Director for the Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services from 1996 through 2017. To date, she has generated over $97 million in grants and contracts to support her work. She regularly serves as a technical advisor/consultant at the national level for both the U.S Department of Education and Health and Human Services. This has included the National Study of IDEA Implementation; Pre-Elementary Education Longitudinal Study; and Head Start Family Child Experiences Survey – FACES.