Maddie began teaching in 2014 and has been in JCPS since 2017. Maddie loves designing learning experiences that make learners feel smart, empowered, curious, and like they belong. Maddie worked as a Deeper Learning Resource Teacher in JCPS since 2017. In this role Maddie got to learn with and from educators all over our district and beyond. Maddie has served on the JCTA Board since 2018, and has served as an officer since 2019. As Treasurer, Maddie has chaired the JCTA Budget committee since 2019. Maddie has also served on the JCTA Teaching and Learning Committee, JCTA Communications Committee, JCTA Constitutional and Revision Committee, JCTA Lobby team, and has been a delegate to the KEA DA and NEA RA every year since 2018. Most recently, Maddie was elected JCTA President. Maddie is also an alumni and winner of the Louisville Ignite Leadership Program, an alumni of the EmergeKentucky program, Past President of the Kentucky Council for the Social Studies, former member of the Kentucky Humanities Board, 2022's Derby Diversity Week's Government Partner of the Year, as well as co-author of the children's book, "Bluegrass Bold: Stories of Kentucky Women".  Maddie has a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kentucky, a Master's Degree in Education Leadership from Indiana University, a Certification in Education Law from Indiana University, and achieved her Rank 1 in 2024, graduating from the University of Kentucky's "Changemaker" program.  Personally, Maddie loves true-crime podcasts, sci-fi tv shows and books, but most of all loves hanging out with my friends and family.

 Kumar Rashad serves as the Vice President of Jefferson County Teachers Association in Louisville KY. He has been a public high school math teacher for over 20 years and was recently named Kentucky’s 2024 High School Teacher of the Year. He is a proud local, state, and national union leader as the Ethnic Minority Director for the National Council of Urban Education Association.
Mr. Rashad has spent over 20 years in the classroom where he specializes in mentoring minority males. This passion for leading minority youth led him in the pursuit of recruiting minority teachers through a non-profit he and his wife Natalie Rashad created called the Minority Teacher Recruitment Movement. This project was adopted by the National Education Association and replicated throughout the United States.
He's a staunch advocate for the eradication of systemic racism by demanding fair representation on all political levels. Mr. Rashad also served a term as a Louisville Metro Council Member for the metropolitan area of Louisville, Kentucky. In this role he helped pass laws that gave more flexibility to city government work hours for employees to accommodate public school schedules. He also helped pass a law to help stop displacement and homelessness from gentrification.
Mr Rashad is a champion of democracy and i its tenements which include freedom, justice, equity, and representation.

 Teacher at McFerran Early Childhood

  George is a 2nd career teacher after having been a Union Millwright and a veteran of the United States Army. As a teacher I am just past my mid-career milestone. I plan to teach until 2032 , if the good Lord is willing and the creek doesn't rise. George has taught Welding and Blueprint Reading at Iroquois High School since 2011. He has also coached Wrestling , Softball and Football at Iroquois. He has served on the executive board of the Millwrights in many of its chairs in his time as a Millwright. George was a Union Steward on many projects until rising into Craft Labor Management within the skilled trade. He holds several degrees and certifications to include two Associates degrees, one in Arts and Sciences and the other in Applied Mechanics. He earned his BA in Career and Technical Education from EKU and a Masters in CTE Leadership as well. George also holds a Journeyman Certificate as a Union Millwright as well. Student Voice and Choice guides the Project Based Learning Opportunities that are the cornerstone of his Learning Philosophy. Students are guided through projects that they help select that are used within the program or sold . Mini lessons and just in time instruction create a learning experience that is engaging and purposeful . Family and Friends are the most important parts of George's life. He has been married to Cynthia (Cindy) for 36 years and that has created two daughters and 4 grandchildren. Christina, the eldest daughter, is a teacher as well. In George's spare time he enjoys a few hobbies, Homebrewing and Home Improvement are passions that he enjoys. In the second half of George's teaching career, he has been active in JCTA serving as a Building Rep , E Board member and volunteered as needed to assist the Union in delivering its message and vision to the community at large in hopes to grow the Union.