Bullitt County, KY — Bullitt County Public Schools (BCPS) is proud to celebrate the achievement of Lexie Bewley-Gilley, a Social Studies teacher at Bullitt Central High School (BCHS), who has been featured in the upcoming book Applying Depth of Knowledge and Cognitive Rigor by Karin Hess. This recognition highlights her dedication to Authentic Learning and her commitment to providing engaging, high-quality educational experiences for all students.
Hess’ book, which will be released later this month, features a section titled Stories from the Field, where educators share real-world applications of Depth of Knowledge (DOK) in the classroom. Adam Watson, a Deeper Learning Consultant with the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative (OVEC), contributed a piece highlighting a gamified, student-centered history lesson developed by Ms. Bewley-Gilley.
Recognizing that Cold War-era economic policies might feel distant and disconnected from students’ lives, she redesigned her final U.S. History unit using elements from tabletop role-playing games. Students “rolled up” a fictional character living in the 1980s, determining socioeconomic status and economic events through random dice rolls. This creative approach helped students experience historical concepts firsthand rather than simply memorizing facts.
According to Watson, the lesson was already innovative, but through collaboration, they deepened student engagement and critical thinking by adding structured discussion prompts and requiring students to reflect on how the historical events shaped their character’s beliefs and experiences.
“Lexie’s work is a model of what deeper learning looks like,” said Watson. “She transformed a standard history lesson into an immersive experience where students weren’t just learning about the past—they were living it.”
BCPS Superintendent Dr. Jesse Bacon commended Ms. Bewley-Gilley for her commitment to student success and innovative teaching, stating:
“Lexie exemplifies our BCPS Core Value of Proactive Innovation. She continuously seeks new ways to engage students, ensuring they are not just absorbing content but developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will serve them for a lifetime.”
Bullitt County Public Schools is proud to have educators like Ms. Bewley-Gilley who embrace creativity and innovation in the classroom. Her work serves as an inspiration for both students and fellow educators as we continue #MovingForward in education
📖 Applying Depth of Knowledge and Cognitive Rigor will be available for purchase starting March 28. For more information on the book, visit Karin Hess’s website.