LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kate Doctor, an English teacher at The Learning Center in Fayette County Public Schools, has been selected as one of 24 outstanding educators for the 2026-27 cohort of the Kentucky Innovative Teacher Fellowship, according to an announcement from the Kentucky Department of Education.

Doctor, who chairs the school's English Department and teaches English Language Arts to freshmen and juniors, is in her fourth year at The Learning Center, an alternative public high school serving grades 8-12. The fellowship recognizes educators committed to transforming education through innovative practices and collaborative efforts.

The fellowship program "will provide professional learning, teacher leadership opportunities and innovative project development and implementation ideas to directly impact the learning experiences of Kentucky students," according to the Kentucky Department of Education. Participants will design, implement and share innovative classroom projects focused on personalized learning, competency-based education and high-quality performance assessments.

Doctor, who earned her bachelor's degree in English from Georgetown College and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of the Cumberlands, expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity. "I believe some of the best ideas in education come from educators learning alongside one another," she said. "I'm excited to collaborate with innovative teachers from across Kentucky."

She emphasized her teaching philosophy centered on student growth and engagement. "My favorite part of my job is watching students discover that they are capable of more than they thought," Doctor said. "I love creating engaging, authentic learning experiences that help students find their voice, build confidence, and see learning as something meaningful."