Veda Pendleton McClain is the new editor for KDE’s Literacy Link.

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., she brings with her a wealth of professional preparation and experience in literacy education.

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

Welcome to the Literacy Link page – Kentucky Teacher

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

As an avid reader and writer, McClain is a frequent contributor to Today’s Family magazine in Louisville, and she has authored two books on parenting. She is the mother of five adult children and the grandmother of seven young ones.

Literacy Link will be published monthly with updates and information for classroom teachers in Kentucky.

Veda Pendleton is originally from Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She earned a bachelor's degree in English from Wesleyan University, a Master of Science in education from the University of Central Arkansas, and a doctorate in reading education from the University of Georgia. She is the mother of five adult children and grandmother of seven.

An interview with Jefferson County's literacy instructional coach

In Louisville, a notice of intent to open a charter school was filed by education consultant Veda Pendleton but not an application.

What happens next is unclear.

No charter school applications despite legislature’s ‘urban academy’ mandate

A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., she brings with her a wealth of professional preparation and experience in literacy education.

Her education career began as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Ark., and continued through higher education institutions in Arkansas, Georgia and Kentucky.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

McClain holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University, a master of science in education from the University of Central Arkansas and a doctorate of philosophy in reading education from The University of Georgia.

McClain has served in many  levels in higher education, including department chair and college dean. She has made numerous presentations to professional groups and has several publications.

Veda Pendleton has worked as an education consultant. She previously worked as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas, and held higher education roles including department chair and college dean.

No charter school applications despite legislature’s ‘urban academy’ mandate • Kentucky Lantern

Veda has worked as an education consultant. She previously worked as a classroom teacher in Little Rock, Arkansas, and held higher education roles including department chair and college dean.

Veda Pendleton is a former member of the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2013 to 2015. Pendleton is a member of the Democratic Party. She was defeated in the 2014 election by Republican candidate, Kelly Fajardo. Pendleton has also served as a member of the New Mexico State Democratic Party and has been involved in various community organizations. She has a background in education and has worked as a teacher and administrator in the public school system.

Veda Pendleton - Ballotpedia

Veda previously served in the New Mexico House of Representatives, representing District 50 from 2013 to 2015. She was defeated in the 2014 election.

Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky, elections (2026)

2026 Kentucky General Election

So, what is equity? Equity in schools is ensuring that each student benefits from the practices, policies, resources and instruction at the school. It means that each student has access to the full curriculum, is able to participate meaningfully in course work – including advanced courses and gifted and talented classes – and has positive outcomes as a result of that participation.

Equity means doing what is right for each and every student – Kentucky Teacher

Last year’s law is being challenged in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by the Council for Better Education, made up of 168 Kentucky school districts. JCPCS and the Dayton Independent Board of Education are also plaintiffs in the challenge. The lawsuit contends funding would be siphoned from public schools to benefit “unaccountable private entities” in violation of Kentucky’s Constitution.

In Louisville, a notice of intent to open a charter school was filed by education consultant Veda Pendleton but not an application.

What happens next is unclear.

Advocates for every student to have access to the full curriculum, including advanced and gifted courses.

Filed a notice of intent to open a charter school in Louisville, but did not submit an application.

- Advocates for every student to have access to the full curriculum, including advanced and gifted courses.
- Filed a notice of intent to open a charter school in Louisville, but did not submit an application.

Access to Education

It also means supporting new teachers as they learn their craft and grow as educators by having a range of experiences with a variety of students. Schools and districts need to take stock of their learning environments and determine which students are not benefitting from the ways in which students and teachers are assigned, who has access to a rigorous curriculum, and student outcomes based on class and teacher assignments.

Calls for schools and districts to identify which students lack access to a rigorous curriculum.

- Calls for schools and districts to identify which students lack access to a rigorous curriculum.

School Curriculum

What does equity look like in schools? Educators who embrace equitable practices make sure that each and every student has access to highly effective classroom teachers, is actively participating the entire curriculum in meaningful ways (i.e., actively engaged, participates fully and has a voice) and has high-quality learning experiences. Establishing these practices means that schools and districts must evaluate their current student performance data with a lens toward uncovering inequitable practices and policies that have perpetuated less-than-ideal achievement rates for some students.

Calls for schools and districts to use student-performance data to identify inequitable practices and policies.

- Calls for schools and districts to use student-performance data to identify inequitable practices and policies.

School Facilities & Resources

As of September 15, 2026, Veda Pendleton did not have a website or any information online.

Student Wellbeing

Equity in schools also means that the most experienced teachers are not always privileged to teach only the advanced/honors courses and students, while new and inexperienced teachers teach the most challenging groups of students. It means putting the most effective and experienced teachers with the students who need the most support so that those students benefit from the expertise of a veteran teacher.

It means putting the most effective and experienced teachers with the students who need the most support so that those students benefit from the expertise of a veteran teacher. It also means supporting new teachers as they learn their craft and grow as educators by having a range of experiences with a variety of students.

Advocates for assigning the most effective and experienced teachers to students who need the most support.

Supports providing new teachers with varied experience working with students as they develop their teaching skills.

- Advocates for assigning the most effective and experienced teachers to students who need the most support.
- Supports providing new teachers with varied experience working with students as they develop their teaching skills.

Teachers

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Veda Pendleton

As of September 15, 2026, Veda Pendleton’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Gay P. Adelmann

Neil Seftor

Taylor Everett

- Board of education members work as a team to lead the school district by setting policy, providing resources, and overseeing employees. 
- The board of education is responsible for the local school budget. It reviews expenditures, allocates funds, and approves facility plans. The board may levy taxes if deemed necessary.
- The board of education hires and directly supervises the district superintendent.
- School board of education numbers are elected in staggered even-numbered years through a nonpartisan election and serve four-year terms. Most boards in Kentucky consist of five members. 
- Independent school districts elect board members at large; county school districts elect board members from divisions. 
- School board members do not receive a salary. They may be compensated for costs associated with state-mandated activities. 

Governs the local public school system and allocates the education budget. 