Making the Model Work: Chesney Kirchner Thrives in “The Coolest Job in the Building” at Waggener High School

At Waggener High School, the Academies model is more than just a program—it's the heartbeat of the school. This innovative approach to education, featuring Freshman, Health Science, and IT & Law Academies, is supported by a community-wide investment that includes administrators, teachers, parents, and students. That commitment recently earned Waggener accreditation from the National Career Academy Coalition for all three of its academies, making it the first school in Kentucky to achieve this distinction. Chesney Kirchner's unwavering dedication and leadership as Academy Coach since the inception of the Academies of Louisville in 2017 have been instrumental in driving Waggener's ongoing successes, including the development of robust initiatives like the College NoW Program, which offers students the opportunity to earn over 30 college credit hours while still in high school.

The Art of Connecting with Students

After spending thirteen years as an art teacher at Valley High School, Chesney Kirchner was ready for a new challenge. When Dr. Sarah Hitchings, Valley’s former vice principal and current principal at Waggener, reached out about an open Building Assessment Coordinator (BAC) position, Ms. Kirchner saw an opportunity for change.

Kirchner served as the BAC for over a year before stepping into the role of Waggener’s first Academy Coach. She and Dr. Hitchings are the only Principal-Coach duo to have worked together since the launch of the Academies of Louisville in 2017.

“This is the coolest job in the building,” Kirchner says. Her passion for the role is evident, driven by the fulfillment she finds in watching students thrive within the Academies model.

Building Pathways to Career and College

In the early days of the Academies, Kirchner noticed a trend: many students were unaware of their educational pathways. This gap in understanding was quickly addressed. Now, every interaction with parents and students centers on the "why" of the Academies, ensuring that the purpose and benefits of the model are clear to all.

Core class teachers were given the opportunity to choose their own Academy, allowing them to teach through the lens of specific career pathways. This early buy-in from teachers was crucial in embedding the Academies model into the fabric of Waggener’s culture.

“The Academies are not a hard model to sell, but we worked hard to sell it,” Kirchner reflects. The success of this effort is evident in Waggener’s focus on college readiness, with dual credit opportunities available in each Academy.

Every freshman is introduced to higher education through college campus visits, and Waggener stands out as the only Academies school where freshmen can earn dual credit. By the time they graduate, students can accumulate over 30 hours of college credit through College NoW, giving them a significant head start.

Getting Students Out of School—In a Good Way

Kirchner’s approach to student development extends beyond the classroom. “We work very hard to get these kids out of the building,” she says, highlighting the importance of real-world experiences. Early on, she worked diligently to set up opportunities for students to explore careers and gain hands-on experience outside the school. Now, the partnerships have grown to the point where teachers and partners facilitate these experiences independently, without the need for constant oversight.

Initially, some teachers resisted the idea of students missing class for these activities, especially those struggling academically. But Kirchner sees these students as the ones who stand to benefit the most. She connects them with professionals who weren’t star students but have found success in their careers, offering a powerful example of how persistence and passion can lead to success.

Connecting the Dots for Business Partners

“Teenagers can be scary for adults,” Kirchner laughs, acknowledging the initial hesitation some business partners felt about working with high school students. Much of her early work involved introducing these partners to students in small, manageable groups. Over time, these relationships have deepened, with students and business partners forming meaningful connections.

Kirchner is mindful of the demands on her partners' time and strives to make their involvement as seamless as possible. “I know our partners have a whole job outside of working with a high school, so it’s really important for me to respect their time and come to them with ideas for how they can help,” she says. By providing support and ideas, Kirchner ensures that partners can contribute effectively without needing to take on extra burdens.

Humana, one of Waggener’s long standing partners, exemplifies this successful collaboration. What began as an IT partnership has expanded to include connections with students in other pathways. Monthly meetings between Humana and Waggener staff focus on finding new ways to enrich these partnerships and provide more opportunities for students.

One of Humana’s key contributors, Justin Morris, a Senior IT Project Manager, takes small groups of students from Waggener’s IT & Law Academy on immersive visits to Humana. These experiences offer students a close-up look at real-world work environments, making a lasting impact.

Ultimately, Kirchner knows that the true stars of the Academies are the students. “We can talk about this stuff all day long, but someone who is learning about the Academies isn’t going to believe in this program until they hear students talk about it.”