Lacey Ramirez, principal of Sinking Fork Elementary in Christian County, was among 40 school leaders from across Kentucky to graduate from the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s prestigious Leadership Institute for School Principals this June.
The year-long program, valued at $18,000 per participant, provides executive-level leadership training typically reserved for top CEOs. Ramirez and her peers received personalized development from the Truist Leadership Institute to strengthen their leadership skills in the unique context of school administration.
Now in its 13th year, the Leadership Institute has trained more than 600 public and private school principals from 112 counties, reaching nearly 3 million Kentucky students. The program is provided at no cost to participants, thanks to generous support from the business community and the Truist Leadership Institute.
Graduates, including Ramirez, gained practical tools to improve leadership, communication, and staff development. Principals also developed lasting professional connections with others who understand the pressures of leading a school.
During the graduation ceremony, class speaker Jameelah Henderson of Jefferson County described the program as “transformative,” while fellow graduate James Hood of Rowan County emphasized the support system the program fosters, calling the principalship “one of the loneliest jobs in education.”
The initiative is supported by a board of Kentucky superintendents and business leaders who select each year’s participants. Applications for the next class are expected to open soon.
More information is available at www.principalsleadky.com.
