Please join us in giving a warm Model welcome to the newest members of our faculty for the 2025-2026 school year! We’re excited to add this group of educators to the Model Family, each one bringing unique strengths, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to excellence. 🎉🧑🏫🏫🎉
🎉 WE’RE READY FOR YOU! 🎈 The excitement is building as our faculty & staff get ready for the first day of school! Join us this week at Meet the Teacher or the New Family Picnic on Thursday, August 21, before we kick off the new school year on Monday, August 25. Watch the video on our Facebook here!
TOMORROW, Monday, August 18, several Model students, among others across the state, in grades 11-12 are kicking off their Dual Credit classes at Eastern Kentucky University! Students, be sure to check the list below to gear up for a fantastic first day of the Fall 2025 semester. ✅
Model’s partnership with EKU Dual Credit offers our students a unique opportunity to experience real college classes in-person while still in high school. This program allows them to pursue academic excellence, save on college costs, and invest in a successful future early on! 🤩 🎓
*For any questions or assistance, please reach out to Model's Counseling Office at ModelCounseling@eku.edu.
🎓✨ Introducing the Inaugural Faculty Laureates ✨🎓
On Opening Day, we proudly recognized the very first recipients of the Model Laboratory Schools Faculty Laureate distinction—a new honor celebrating excellence in teaching and alignment with our strategic goals.
These outstanding educators were honored with custom-embroidered blazers as the inaugural recipients of this distinction, earned through demonstrated Professional Expertise, such as state or national recognition, or Pedagogical Expertise, measured by student achievement at or above the 75th percentile on national and state assessments.
👏 Please join us in celebrating:
Anne Calloway Dacci
Mary Tom Emanuel
Angela Hardin
Dr. Holli Hunt
Gretchen May
Jana Mayer
Madison Parr
Dr. Melanie Smith
Thank you for setting the bar and leading by example. Your work inspires us all!
We’re kicking off the school year with an exciting new chapter for Model’s youngest learners! For the first time in many years, all Model students—from preschool through 12th grade—are learning together in one building. Over the summer, our Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) officially relocated from the Burrier building into the main Model facility, creating new opportunities for collaboration and connection across grade levels.
As we celebrate this move, we’re also reflecting on the incredible memories made in the Burrier building. Last year’s ECDC students, faculty, and staff were the final class to learn and grow in that space, so we’re sharing special photos from this past May to honor that part of our history. 📸🤍
The new ECDC is located in the former Kindergarten wing of the elementary school, and we’ve been working hard to make it feel like home. This week, final touches were completed on a brand-new fenced-in play area designed specifically for our preschoolers. We can’t wait to see the joy and exploration this space will bring!
👩🏫 Meet the amazing ECDC team for the 2025–2026 school year:
• Vicki Crowe, Director
• Jennifer Duty, Teacher
• Jaime Priode, Teacher
• Sarah Winkler, Teacher
• Deborah Dyrssen, Paraeducator
• Tiffaney Estill, Paraeducator
• Megan Fisher, Paraeducator
• Monique Mathena, Paraeducator
We’re thrilled to have every Model student learning under one roof—and there has never been a better time to be part of the Model family. 🥰
🏫 Secondary Schedule Changes 🏫 See the attached graphic from Model Counseling and sign-up links ⬇️
🎒✨ Arrive back at school in brand-new Model gear! This year’s Back-to-School Sale at The Patriot Shoppe features several new arrivals and fresh designs, including styles for your favorite activities and sports, from hats and tees to stickers and mugs. Perfect gifts for your Patriots!
📖 Flip through the catalog here.
🛍️ Shop anytime through Infinite Campus Parent Portal or access the Shoppe via our website.
🛒 Want to shop in-person? The Patriot Shoppe will be open during Meet the Teacher & New Family Welcome Picnic next week on Thursday, August 21, all afternoon and evening.
🎉 Opening Days 2025-2026: A Year of Intentionality, Integrity, and Impact 🎉 The energy was contagious as faculty and staff returned for our first two days of the new school year!
Day 1: Balloons, banners, and warm welcomes from our Student Council set the tone for an inspiring Opening Day. Faculty and staff committed to our Honor Code—to act with intentionality, lead with integrity, and create lasting impact in all that we do.
We were honored to be joined by Eastern Kentucky University leadership and College of Education faculty, including EKU President David McFaddin, who celebrated the strong partnership between Model and EKU. As the Commonwealth’s Laboratory School, we’re proud to provide future educators with unique, hands-on opportunities right here on campus.
Day 2: Today was all about connection and Vibrant Learning—learning that matters to students—thanks to a powerful session with the Kentucky Department of Education’s Division of Innovation. Robert Meacham and Sarah Snipes led us in exploring how to empower students as agents of their own learning, honoring their unique gifts and interests. A web-building activity reminded us that our impact is greater because we are linked together. As Elementary Principal Amber Catron shared: “If one strand breaks, we all feel it. If one strand holds firm, we all grow stronger.”
A huge thank-you to the Model Parent Organization for treating us to donuts today, and thank you to everyone who made these two days such an inspiring start to the year. Here’s to a year filled with intentionality, integrity, and impact!
🪨⭐️🏆 Our favorite part of Opening Day is always the announcement of the annual Rockstar Award. Today, with all faculty and staff gathered, we celebrated the 2025 recipient… 🌟 Congratulations to MARY TOM EMANUEL! 🌟
🎖 Presented each year by Superintendent John Williamson, the Rockstar Award honors a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond, exemplifies excellence in action, and demonstrates servant leadership in the Model community.
📚 A proud Model alumna, Mrs. Emanuel brings passion, dedication, and a heart for service to her 3rd grade classroom every day. She’s known for building strong connections with families, providing exceptional parent engagement, and delivering outstanding “customer service” as a teacher. Her priority is, and always has been, the students she serves.
📈 Her students consistently achieve high assessment scores—a testament to her skill, dedication, and focus on both academic success and personal growth.
❤️ Whether inspiring young learners, supporting parents, or serving as a role model for aspiring educators and beyond, Mary Tom Emanuel truly embodies what it means to be a Model Rockstar.
Let’s Get This Year Started!
☑️☑️ Two days of New Faculty Orientation last week
⏩ Opening Day tomorrow with all Model Lab faculty and staff 🎉
🔜 New team member introductions coming this week—stay tuned!
Hey, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀! Make sure you attend Dual Credit Boot Camp 𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝟲:𝟬𝟬 𝗽.𝗺. in the auditorium.
Get ready to:
✅ Hear important updates to the Dual Credit program
🖥️ Learn how to use Canvas, EKU’s new learning platform
📝 Sign your contract for the 2025-2026 school year
❓ Get your questions answered!
Don’t miss this essential kickoff before Dual Credit classes begin on Monday, August 18. For more information or questions, contact ModelCounseling@eku.edu.
🎒✏️ 𝙊𝙝, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙔𝙤𝙪’𝙡𝙡 𝙂𝙤 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙎𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙧… 📚🍎
The countdown is on—less than one month to go,
‘Til a new year begins and your brilliance will show!
From Preschool to Seniors, get ready to grow,
With a Tradition of Excellence that continues to flow.
You're off to Great Places, soon is the day,
Model is ready, so… get on your way!
𝘖𝘩, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘎𝘰! 🌟🤩
