Program Coaching Staff
Lauren Hill, NBCT - Program Director: Lauren (she/her) taught middle school ELA at Leestown Middle School in Lexington, KY. She has also taught high school and in a correctional setting, served as an instructional coach, and worked as the Teacher Leadership Coordinator for the Kentucky Department of Education. Lauren also serves as Associate Director of the University of Kentucky - Jewish Heritage Fund Holocaust Initiative, which supports Kentucky teachers in meeting the mandate for effective Holocaust education. Lauren graduated from Barnard College with a BA in History, Vanderbilt University with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Supervision, and The University of Kentucky with a Rank 1 in English Education. Lauren focuses on elevating teachers as experts and leaders who facilitate deeper learning for their students.
Amy Schwarz, NBCT - Coach: Amy Schwarz (she/her) is an ELA teacher at STEAM Academy in Lexington. She has been teaching for 20 years, beginning her career at a Montessori school with primary and elementary students and moving on to public high schools in Franklin, Woodford, and now, Fayette. She has taught all levels and grades of English, including Journalism, Film Studies, Creative Writing, Drama, and Dual Credit. Amy is an NBCT who has participated in a variety of educational programs and groups including The Bluegrass Writing Project, STLP, KySTE, Bread Loaf School of English, TL4DL, and CTEPS. She recently earned her 200-hour Yoga Certification through Breathe for Change and is currently enjoying coaching for the CTEPS program.
Anna Predmore, NBCT - Coach: Anna Predmore (she/her) is a 6th grade ELA teacher at Southern Middle School. She has been teaching for 19 years, the first 12 as an 8th grade social studies teacher. She graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2006 and earned her literacy specialist masters from Georgetown in 2012. Anna gained her rank 1 through UK’s Next Gen ChangeMakers program in 2024. She has also had the chance to work with the Harvard Deeper Learning Dozen. Anna loves every opportunity she has had with CTEPS and Deeper Learning because it has been able to transform her classroom teaching.
Eli Parham - Coach: Eli Parham (he/him) is an agriculture teacher at Tates Creek Middle School, where he has been teaching for three years. With eight years of experience in agricultural education across three states, he has worked with students from 6th to 12th grade, always striving to make agriculture relevant, engaging, and accessible. His program focuses on urban agriculture, emphasizing plant science, food science, and agriscience research to give students hands-on learning experiences that connect to real-world sustainability and innovation. Eli holds a bachelor's degree in Agricultural Education, Communication, and Leadership from the University of Georgia and a master's degree in Community and Leadership Development with an emphasis in education from the University of Kentucky. Beyond the classroom, he is deeply invested in student leadership and community engagement, serving as a CTEPS coach, Agriculture Club advisor (overseeing Junior MANRRS, Green Team, and FFA), TCMS Unity Lead and TCMS Sustainability Coordinator. He also plays an active role in student life as the Head Track Coach and Dungeons & Dragons Club sponsor. Eli is dedicated to making a lasting impact on students' lives through education and mentorship.
Morghan Fuller - Coach: Morghan Fuller (she/they) is an English teacher at Lafayette High School. They have been teaching for 8 years, and currently teach English 1, English 4, and AP Literature and Composition. Morghan serves on Lafayette's Advisory Committee, and is a PLC Lead. Learning Dozen. Morghan was able to attend the Deeper Learning Conference, and Deeper Learnjng EdCamp in 2024, and has cherished the impact both have had on their classroom. They hope to spread the empowerment they have gained through coaching and teacher leadership to others in FCPS, and beyond.
Vanessa Jirik - Coach: Vanessa (she/her) is a CTE and visual arts teacher at Lafayette High School. She currently teaches visual art, graphic design, animation/film, and photography to grades 9-12. Vanessa holds an EdS in Principalship, a Master’s in School Counseling, a bachelor's in art education, and certifications in English, ESL, and Social Studies. Throughout her 13 years of experience she has taught middle school and high school in multiple subject areas and in rural, community, and large city schools. She loves every minute of working with students to help them explore problem-solving, creative solutions, and real-world experiences.
Venecia Proctor - Coach: Venecia (she/her) currently teaches Literary Arts for grades 4 through 8 at SCAPA of the Bluegrass, and is the advisor for the student-run Literature & Art Magazine. This is her seventh year teaching in Fayette County, where she previously taught 6th grade Language Arts. She graduated in 2017 from the University of Kentucky with a double major in English and Secondary English Education, along with a minor in Creative Writing. While teaching, she earned a Master's in English from Middlebury Bread Loaf School of English and a master's in teaching from the University of the Cumberlands.
