January is School Board Recognition Month

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Kirk Tinsley knows that children need to be nurtured. And he never runs short of encouragement for the youngsters he encounters.

The newest member of the Fayette County Board of Education makes it his personal mission to share as many smiles as possible.

“It’s good to have somebody say ‘Good morning’ to you that’s a friendly face. I just believe a good word, a kind word, makes a difference in a person’s day,” said Tinsley, who regularly greets kids at the door of Bryan Station Middle School, where his daughter attends.

Earlier in the morning, Tinsley can be spotted at another familiar post – directing traffic at Deep Springs Elementary after working his overnight shift at the Toyota plant in Georgetown.

He brings that hands-on attitude to his new responsibilities on the district’s five-member governing panel. “I’m not on the school board for show,” he said. “I’m there to try to get the job done.” 

Tinsley, 53, was appointed to fill the spot left open in August when then-Chairman Larry Conner moved to Georgia. He represents District 2. 

Mike Howard, a colleague at Toyota and a friend for about 15 years, described Tinsley as a fact-based decision-maker who gets along well with people. “He’s a very conscientious employee, with attention to details and follow-through,” Howard said.  

As for Tinsley’s approach to the school board, “He’ll look to understand the ropes and grasp the situation of issues,” Howard said. “He’s really interested in how to make a better system and better environment to give kids an opportunity to grow and succeed.” 

Among Tinsley’s specific goals is that all schools reach the 100 mark on CATS. “We need to keep going forward. We don’t want to go backward,” he said. 

Matt Thompson, the principal at Deep Springs, has no doubt that Tinsley will push for progress. 

“He is such a bulldog for making sure that all kids succeed. The passion that he has for the kids he sees every day is second to none,” Thompson said, noting that Tinsley is adept at prioritizing and organizing resources to make the biggest impact on students. “He would do whatever he could for the school here, and I know that will transfer to the district.” 

Tinsley, who attended the Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership and also served on the School-Based Decision Making councils at Deep Springs and Bryan Station Middle, is excited about joining the school board family. But he also wants to maintain those personal connections with students.  

“If I can help one kid one day, then I’ve done my job,” he said. “It’s all about giving. I truly believe that.” 

Did you know?

• Kirk Tinsley is a quality control inspector at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown.
• He graduated high school in Caldwell County in Princeton, Ky., and once lived in Los Angeles.
• He and his wife, Connie, have one daughter.
• Tinsley is a member of First African Baptist Church, and he’s a huge NASCAR fan.