FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Education has named a new teacher and student to serve on the state board of education.

Ronald “R.J.” Osborne, a junior at Whitley County High School, will be the next public school student to hold a seat on the board. Alissa Riley, a 9th-12th grade teacher at Gateway Academy of Innovation and Technology in Christian County, will hold the teacher seat for the upcoming term. 

Ronald "R.J." Osbonre, a junior at Whitley County High School, and Alissa Riley, a 9th-12th grade teacher at Gateway Academy of Innocation and Technology in Christian County, were selected for the student and teacher seats on the Kentucky Board of Education. (Kentucky Department of Education)

KBE Chair Lu S. Young said the board is, “excited to have Alissa and R.J. join us and we welcome their voices as an active teacher and current student. They will be instrumental as we make decisions that impact the future of education in the Commonwealth.”

Riley, a 15-year teaching veteran, was selected from eight applicants from the 1st Congressional District and recommended by the KBE Application Review Special Committee for the 2023-2024 non-voting teacher position. She will fill the seat that will soon be vacated by Garrard County teacher Joanna Stevens, whose term expires on June 30.

“I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a teacher,” said Riley. “When people talk about their dream jobs, I can proudly say that I am living my dream."

Riley received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 2007 from Western Kentucky University, then served as a primary grade teacher for the first 13 years of her career. In 2016, she earned her master’s degree in teacher leadership, with an endorsement in WKU’s elementary math specialist program.

Osborne was selected from a pool of seven students who live in the 5th Congressional District and successfully met the criteria for consideration for a student board position. After reviewing application materials, a special committee of the KBE picked Osborne to serve on the KBE.

He will replace Boone County senior Joud Dahleh, whose term also expires on June 30.

Osborne says it is an honor to be selected as the third public school student to hold a position on the KBE and hopes to use this opportunity to bring attention to the rise in college dropouts and to show appreciation for the Commonwealth’s educators.

“There are so many challenges that our high school graduates face when they enter college,” he said, adding that he believes the best way to ensure student success is to ensure educator success.

Osborne, 17, is active in many extracurricular activities, including the Future Farmers of America and varsity baseball. When he is not taking honors courses and maintaining his 4.389 grade point average, Osborne volunteers as a referee for the Upward Sports basketball league.

The KBE has 15 members. The governor appoints 11 voting members: seven representing the Supreme Court districts and four representing the state at large. The additional members — the president of the Council on Postsecondary Education, the secretary of the Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet, a high school student and an active elementary or secondary school teacher — serve as non-voting members.