Former Kentucky Elementary School Teacher of the Year
By Mark Hebert
April 12, 2023 - An assistant principal at Cochrane Elementary School won’t be moving her office furniture and belongings more than a few steps on July 1. Beth Fuller has been named the new principal at Cochrane. Fuller will replace Jason Hobbs who is retiring.
“I am so honored and thrilled for the opportunity to continue the great work at Cochrane - the school community I love,” Fuller said. “My goal is to ensure that all students have a sense of belonging, know they are loved and know they are capable of reaching high levels of learning. Giving students and staff the gift of learning and love is what I was born to do.”
Fuller has a wide background in education. Her first job out of college was teaching at J.B. Atkinson Elementary School where she stayed for 10 years. In 2012, she was named the Kentucky Elementary School Teacher of the Year, in part, for developing a program to bring students who were struggling to read up to grade level. From 2012-17 she was at the University of Louisville, teaching a class for two years and co-directing the Louisville Writing Project. During that time Fuller was also working as an academic instructional coach at Carter Traditional Elementary School until 2021 when she became assistant principal at Cochrane.
“Ms. Fuller is a motivated leader with the drive to unlock the love of learning in every student, parent, staff member, and teacher,” said Joe Leffert, assistant superintendent of elementary schools, Zone 3.
Fuller is a 2003 graduate of Bellarmine University. She received her master’s degree from Indiana University Southeast and earned her specialist in education administration certificate from UofL.
“My goal is to ensure that all students have a sense of belonging, know they are loved and know they are capable of reaching high levels of learning. Giving people the gift of learning and love is what I was born to do.”
“Her leadership embodies engaging instructional methods, academic excellence, and empathy,” Leffert said. “This unique blend of traits fosters risk taking, academic achievement, and a dynamic school culture. Ms. Fuller is poised for this next step in her distinguished career.”
Fuller is married with two children who, she says, have made her a better educator. Her hobbies include reading, writing, and “enjoying precious time with my loved ones.”