As an only child, Nawanna Barton Privett had a secret network of friends. Each night, she re-arranged her collection of 125 dolls into different groupings, convinced that after she went to sleep, the dolls came alive. She wanted them to make new friends.
Privett had vision beyond the ordinary even then and has carried that commitment to looking beyond the obvious into her long career as an educator. A dedicated teacher and learner who embraces the philosophy of teaching people to fish, not giving them a fish, Privett has taught elementary students and served as principal of Southern Elementary School. She has also mentored other principals and school leaders. She currently serves as director of the Kentucky Superintendents Network for Education Commissioner Dr. Terry Holliday, in addition to facilitating the Kentucky Educational Leadership Collaborative (ELDC), a group of 16 statewide education organizations whose focus is collaborative leadership development to improve student achievement. Outcomes are important to Privett.
Under Privett's leadership at Southern, the school won the Department of Education Flag of Excellence for improved student achievement and became the first school in Fayette County to receive the Blue Ribbon Award as a National Exemplary School. The Blue Ribbon was presented by first lady Barbara Bush in the White House Rose Garden.
In 1992, Privett became one of the first seven Kentucky Distinguished Educators (KDE), a group that developed a program of assistance for low-performing schools. This program is still a major initiative at the Kentucky Department of Education. Since 1992, Privett's career has focused on improving student achievement so that there are high expectations for all students to graduate, enjoy economic success and lead meaningful lives.
"Because of KERA and, in part, the work of the Distinguished Educators, education in Kentucky has progressed from 48th to 34th in the nation. I am so proud to have been part of this revolution that proved that all Kentucky students can indeed learn," said Privett, adding that "we are still a long way from ensuring success for all students. There is still so much to learn."
Her volunteer contributions are equally impressive. One of them, the New Opportunity School for Women (NOSW) in Berea, has been very important to Privett. After joining the board in 2004, she became president in 2006. During the next two years, Privett guided the board through tough times: a sudden resignation of the executive director and development director, rewriting job descriptions, revising by-laws, writing a personnel handbook, and resolving financial issues. NOSW's three-week session revolves around career counseling, self-esteem, Appalachian literature and internships that help the Appalachian women gain work experience in a field related to their deferred dreams.
"It's impossible to attend the graduation ceremony, hear these women's stories, and leave without shedding a few tears," she said.
In 2009, Privett agreed to co-chair, with Patsy Todd, the Women In Philanthropy Network at UK, a network of patrons and advocates raising money for need-based scholarships for rising sophomores, juniors and seniors. Winner of the 2008 Martha Layne Collins Leadership Award, Privett now serves as chair for the Leadership Award Committee of Women Leading Kentucky and is an advocate for recognizing women across the commonwealth for their accomplishments.
The biggest challenge for Kentucky today, as Privett sees it, is the necessity for community groups, business and educational institutions to join forces to ensure a world-class education for Kentucky's children.