February - Tennessee Education Association

Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 

February 2012 Vol. 43, No. 6 www.teateachers.org 

Special Insert: 

Make Your Evaluation Work for You 

Let’s Fix 

Tennessee’s Evaluation System 

Gera Summerford: 

“Tennessee’s teacher 

evaluation system and 

supporting data system are 

so fl awed that they diminish 

the education program for 

Tennessee students.” 

page 3 

Tax Season Special: 

Corporate Tax Avoidance + How To Boost Economy 

page 4

Speaking out with you 

Gera Summerford, President 

Evaluation Not Suitable in Current Form 

One of the stated goals in the development of the new 

evaluation system was that it would provide timely feedback to 

teachers and help them improve instructional practice. I wish I 

could believe that is really happening in the majority of Tennessee 

schools. Instead, the burdensome nature of the new system is 

too often interfering with educators’ ability to do what they 

know is best for their students. How can we 

re-focus the the original intent, consider what 

we’ve learned from educators in our schools, 

and modify the evaluation system so that it 

can effectively help teachers improve student 

achievement? 

In many cases the observation instrument 

is simply not suitable. Teachers tell me they 

spend hours of precious time preparing to 

teach the “perfect” lesson with no assurance 

that their students will be positively impacted. It’s not reasonable 

to expect that every teacher demonstrates every performance 

indicator every day in every lesson taught. We know that the 

number and kind of teaching methods we use must be appropriate 

to the students’ development, the grade and subject being 

taught, and the learning objectives for the day. TEA is proposing 

evaluation changes to assure that expectations are aligned with 

how students learn and how teachers teach. 

We also know that student growth and achievement data 

used in evaluations must be reliable and relevant. Teachers have 

reported numerous student data errors in the past and so far a 

process for correcting erroneous data has not been provided. And 

certainly it is not appropriate to base 35 percent of a teacher’s 

evaluation on the test scores of many students she doesn’t teach 

and in subjects she doesn’t teach. TEA is proposing the use of 

additional measures for student performance. 

Administrators report the many challenges they face 

with complex scheduling of observations and finding time 

for constructive feedback to teachers. They also struggle to 

balance evaluations with the multiple other duties of managing 

a school. TEA is proposing ways to lower the number of required 

observations for accomplished teachers to reduce this burden on 

principals. 

Educators in Tennessee welcome the opportunity to improve 

instructional practice and we seek the support of our employers 

in achieving that goal. When TEA supported the Race to the Top 

Application, the promise to teachers was that rigorous annual 

evaluations would be accompanied by streamlined, transparent 

and fair procedures. To date, that promise has not been kept. 

Since implementation of the new evaluation system began 

last fall, TEA has gathered feedback from educators through our 

Board of Directors, regional meetings throughout the state and 

carefully designed surveys. TEA members have expressed their 

concerns, and we know that now is the time to make necessary 

improvements to the system. 

For a full review of TEA’s proposed changes, please visit our 

website, www.teateachers.org. 

Al Mance, Executive Director 

Governor’s Class Size, Salary Proposals Hurt 

Two weeks ago Governor Haslam announced a two-pronged 

education proposal. It removes the current average class size limits 

while leaving maximums in place, proposing to “give local school 

systems flexibility” in the structuring of class loads. 

The ultimate impact: a K-3 school with an enrollment of 500 

students—which would have 25 classroom teachers under current 

law—will have only 20 teachers if the district 

decides to structure classes using the mandated 

maximums of 25 students. This change will have 

a very real effect on teaching and learning for 

every teacher and student in the larger classes. 

The most important things that happen 

in schools occur between students and their 

teachers. The more teacher time and attention 

each student gets, the more he or she is likely 

to learn. Research tells us that the results are 

particularly good when 17 or less students are 

assigned to a teacher. 

A well-educated, dedicated teacher in a classroom with a 

manageable number of students is the best guarantee good things 

will happen. This arrangement provides the greatest probability 

that students who are intellectual, artistic or scientific have the 

opportunity to develop to their full potential. 

The governor’s plan also repeals the minimum state salary 

schedule, requiring districts to submit salary plans—which may 

include bonuses or incentives to teach special subject areas or in 

certain schools—to the state each year. Increases in salaries will be 

funded by money saved from increasing class size or from local funds. 

The governor projects that the money saved by raising class size 

will result in enough money to raise the state’s contribution for each 

BEP teacher from $38,677.49 to $42,250. No additional money is being 

added to the classroom component of the BEP. It is just being shuffled 

from one pocket to another. 

All this is proposed after the state adopted the national Common 

Core Standards, raised state standards and launched new teacher and 

principal evaluation systems. Nothing in this proposal supports higher 

student performance. 

Rather, this is another step backward into administrative practices 

of the past. If the governor’s proposal becomes law, we’ll see more 

opportunities for biased treatment than in a generation. Class 

sizes will increase the workload of good teachers while the mental 

development of students will suffer. 

John Kenneth Galbraith considered educational and scientific 

disciplines to be “enlightenment,” which he saw as among the “larger 

goals of life.” Such goals are much less measurable than “that which 

associates all progress with… increases in Gross National Product 

or levels of unemployment.” He said the goals of the industrial 

system are so narrow that they lend themselves to precise statistical 

assessment. But life is meant to be complex. 

We have seen a metamorphosis of thought in American society 

since A Nation at Risk made headlines in 1983. Industrial interests 

have taken control of our political and education systems and are 

using them to transform American society into a society to serve 

their goals. We now have statistical approaches to measuring student 

progress, teacher effectiveness and the success or failure of public 

schools. 

TEA will be working hard to get these proposals changed to be 

responsive to the needs of students, teachers and schools. Join us. 

You count. 

teach (USPS 742-450, ISSN 15382907) is published 

monthly (except for June, July and December) by the 

Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue 

North, Nashville TN 37201-1099. Periodical postage 

paid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $3.65 is 

allocated from annual membership dues of $254.00 for 

active members; $127.00 for associate, education 

support and staff members; $16.00 for retired members; 

and $10.00 for student members. Member of 

State Education Editors Conference (SEE). 

Postmaster: Send address changes to teach, 

801 Second Avenue North, 

Nashville, TN 37201-1099. 

MANAGING EDITOR: Alexei Smirnov 

asmirnov@tea.nea.org 

PUBLISHER: Alphonso C. Mance 

MANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS: A.L. Hayes 

Tennessee Education Association 

801 Second Avenue North 

Nashville, TN 37201-1099 

Telephone: (615)242-8392, 

Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262 

Fax: (615)259-4581 

Website: www.teateachers.org 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

PRESIDENT: Gera Summerford* (800)342-8367 

VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (901)353-8590 

SECRETARY-TREASURER: Alphonso C. Mance (615)242-8392 

DISTRICT 1 Leisa Lusk (423)928-6819 

DISTRICT 2 Melinda Reese (423)587-2120 

DISTRICT 3 Karen Starr (423)628-2701 

DISTRICT 4 Tanya Coats (865)637-7494 

DISTRICT 5 Sandy Smith (423)991-8856 

DISTRICT 6 Beth Brown* (931)779-8016 

DISTRICT 7 Bonnie T. Dixon (931)967-9949 

DISTRICT 8 Kawanda Braxton (615)554-6286 

DISTRICT 9 Erick Huth (615)973-5851 

DISTRICT 10 Guy Stanley (615)384-2983 

DISTRICT 11 Melanie Buchanan* (615)305-2214 

DISTRICT 12 Debbie D’Angelo (731)247-3152 

DISTRICT 13 Ernestine King (901)590-8188 

DISTRICT 14 Sarah Kennedy-Harper (901)416-4582 

DISTRICT 15 Stephanie Fitzgerald (901)872-4878 

ADMINISTRATOR EAST Johnny Henry (865)509-4829 

ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson 

(615)643-7823 

ADMINISTRATOR WEST Charles Green (901)624-6186 

HIGHER EDUCATION Derek Frisby (615)898-5881 

BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Paula Hancock 

(865)694-1691 

BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Alzenia Walls 

(615)230-8144 

BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST LaVerne Dickerson* 

(901)416-7122 

STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Vacancy 

ESP Christine Denton (931)647-8962 

TN NEA DIRECTOR Stephen Henry* (615)519-5691 

TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627 

TN NEA DIRECTOR Diane Lillard (423)478-8827 

STEA MEMBER Caryce Gilmore (865)640-6590 

TN RETIRED Gerald Lillard (423)478-8827 

NEW TEACHER Candra Clariette (615)506-3493 

* Executive Committee 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shortly after the new teacher and principal 

3. Provide that teachers who achieve an evaluation that rating forms be provided to teachers after each 

evaluation was rolled out in Tennessee, TEA members rating of “Meets Expectations” (a three on the five- observation. 

and staff began evaluating its implementation, 

point rating scale) shall be eligible for tenure. 

5. Expand the 15 percent options and allow 

documenting areas of concern that adversely 

4. Streamline and strengthen the observation teacher choice as contemplated in the law. 

affect teaching and learning. TEA released its 

process: 

6. Ensure accuracy of all data used in evaluations 

recommendations to correct the state’s flawed system * Reduce the number of required observations for by providing a process for correcting erroneous data. 

at a news conference in mid-January. 

accomplished teachers. For example, professionally 

7. Deliver teachers’ final evaluation ratings 

“Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system and 

licensed teachers with a rating of three or better (on a no later than the last work day of the school year. 

supporting data system are so flawed that they diminish five-point scale) would receive one observation each Ensure that evaluation ratings are accompanied by 

the education program for Tennessee students,” said year and a full evaluation cycle comprising multiple recommendations for improvement and indications of 

Gera Summerford, Sevier County high school math observations every five years. 

Pleaseshare 

the support to be provided to help teachers orpost improve. 

teacher and TEA president (pictured on the cover). “As 

a result, students suffer as teachers and administrators 

* Utilize observation instruments which 

appropriately reflect how students learn and teachers 

Pleaseshare 

orpost 

are distracted from focusing on student learning in teach across the range of teaching assignments. 

order to meet the demands of the evaluation system.” * Simplify and streamline the observation 

TEA’s list of recommendations includes: 

instrument so criteria to be observed in a single lesson 

1. Designate the 2011-2012 initial implementation are realistic in both number and scope. 

year as a pilot/practice year for the new evaluation 

system so that no educator will be negatively affected 

* Provide constructive feedback to teachers 

from one observation before the next one occurs. 

EducationalSupportPersonnel 

TEA Building 

by this year’s evaluation rating. 

* Base evaluation ratings on actual observations 

Saturday, April 21, 2012 

EducationalSupportPersonnel 

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

UniServ Staff contact information 

can be found on page 12. 

2 February 2012 

2. Prohibit the use of school-wide data as a 

substitute for individual growth data for non-TVAAS 

teachers. Rather, where TVAAS data does not exist, 

student growth shall be determined by appropriate 

criterion-referenced pre- and post-tests or comparable 

assessments. 

of teaching practice; prohibit manipulation of such 

ratings to fit a bell curve or expected student growth 

data. 

* Provide administrators and teachers with 

access to a scripting system so teachers can review 

and respond to observation data immediately. Require 

_____ 

TEA Building 

Saturday, All ESPs April Invited 21, 2012 

9:00 TEA a.m. Building 

$15 Refundable – Registration 4:00 p.m. Fee 

_____ 

Continental Breakfast and Lunch 

Saturday, All ESPs April Invited 21, 2012 

$15 Refundable CONFERENCESESSIONS: 

Registration Fee 

9:00 Continental a.m. Breakfast – and 4:00 Lunchp.m. 

NEWLAWS:SUMMARY&EXPLANATION&WHATCANTEADOFORME 

 

YOURRIGHTS:STATE&FEDERALLAW 

AConferenceForEducationalSupportProfessionals 

CONFERENCESESSIONS: 

MANAGINGMONEY&CREDIT All ESPs Invited 

NEWLAWS:SUMMARY&EXPLANATION&WHATCANTEADOFORME 

RETIREMENT 

 

YOURRIGHTS:STATE&FEDERALLAW 

SOCIALNETWORKINGDO’S&DON’TS 

$15 Refundable Registration Fee 

AConferenceForEducationalSupportProfessionals 

MANAGINGMONEY&CREDIT 

Continental Breakfast and Lunch 

RETIREMENT AConferenceForEducational SupportProfessionals 

SOCIALNETWORKINGDO’S&DON’TS www.teateachers.org 

3 

TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFF 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Alphonso C. Mance; ASST. EXECUTIVE 

DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE SERVICES: Mitchell Johnson; ASST. 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROGRAM SERVICES: Carol K. 

Schmoock; TEA GENERAL COUNSEL; Vacancy; MAN- 

AGER OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Stephanie Faulkner; IN- 

FORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS MANAGER, Galen 

Riggs; MANAGER OF UNISERV & BARGAINING CO- 

ORDINATOR: Donna Cotner; STAFF ATTORNEYS: 

Tina Rose Camba, Katherine Curlee, Virginia A. 

McCoy; MANAGER OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONS: Jerry Winters; 

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS ASSISTANT: Antoinette Lee; MANAGER 

OF COMMUNICATIONS & GRAPHICS: A.L. Hayes; WEB MASTER & 

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Amanda Chaney; MANAGING EDI- 

TOR & COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Alexei Smirnov; MANAGER 

OF RESEARCH & INFORMATION: Melissa Brown; RESEARCH & IN- 

FORMATION ASSISTANTS: Susan Ogg; MANAGER FOR INSTRUCTION 

& PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Terrance Gibson; INSTRUCTION 

& PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS: Susan Dalton, 

Nicki Fields; COORDINATOR OF MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATE RELA- 

TIONS: Duran Williams. 

Governor’s Bill Puts Thousands of Jobs at Risk 

Larger classes threaten student learning 

Tennessee’s teachers see Governor Bill Haslam’s proposal to raise the 

average class size and repeal the minimum state salary schedule as adding 

insult to injury during an increasingly stressful school year. 

As TEA President Gera Summerford fielded calls from members concerned 

with the governor’s proposal, she pointed out that there will be no new money 

dedicated to teacher salaries—just a shifting of funds that could harm students 

and their teachers across the state. 

“After all the changes in the law that affected Tennessee curriculum 

standards and the 

evaluation of teachers 

and principals, the idea 

that the governor would 

increase class size and 

freeze teacher salaries is 

the last straw,” Summerford 

said. “Our concern is not 

with increasing class size 

in some schools by one or 

two students, but with the 

possibility of every class 

CurrentClassSizeLimits(TCA491104) 

 

GradeAverageMaximum 

levelperschoolperclass 

 

K32025 

462530 

7123035 

Vocational2025 

 

being maxed out at the state maximum level. We know that in school systems 

and county commissions which have experienced funding challenges, it is very 

likely that class sizes would be increased significantly under this proposal.” 

Contrary to decades-long research highlighting the positive impact of 

lower class size on student learning, the Haslam administration is pushing 

a bill in the state legislature that could increase class sizes in Tennessee by 

five students on average, making 25-30 students in elementary grades and 35 

students in high school the new norm. 

The state’s average class size grew by roughly five students per class since 

2000, according to state data. 

Filed in the State Senate as bill 2210 and bill 2348 in the House, the 

legislation suggests that the funds “saved” by increasing class size would then 

be shifted to the salary component of the Basic Education Program (BEP), the 

funding formula through which state education dollars are generated and 

distributed to Tennessee schools. 

While increasing the salary factor in the BEP from $37,000 to $42,250 would 

normally be a good thing, the governor proposes to eliminate the state salary 

schedule – the only assurance that teacher pay will increase based on years 

of service and advanced degrees, according to TEA research. Increasing the 

salaries of just a few teachers would put thousands of education jobs at risk. 

As a veteran high school math teacher, Summerford quickly saw the fallacy 

in the way the new bill is presented. “One of the arguments supporting this 

proposal is the way things are now, if all the classes meet the state average, 

with the enrollment of just one additional student the school would have to 

hire another teacher,” she said. “The fact is, no matter what the maximum is, 

no matter what standard is set for class size, at some point in every scenario 

you’ll reach the tipping point where you would have to hire someone, which 

invalidates the argument about changing the maximum class size number.” 

Armed with data from its research division, TEA strongly opposes the 

governor’s legislation. “Increasing class size will undoubtedly have a negative 

impact on student achievement,” said TEA Executive Director Al Mance, whose 

column on the opposite page also addresses the controversial proposal. 

“Eliminating the state minimum salary schedule writes a blank check to local 

school boards as to how state salary funds would be distributed.” 

TEA Unveils Seven-Point Plan to Fix Evaluation

Where Has All the Money Gone? 

By Melissa Brown 

As we prepare to file our taxes, comparing 

our effective tax rates with those of 

presidential candidates and high networth 

individuals, it’s quite easy to 

tune into the national conversation 

as corporate tax loopholes come 

under scrutiny. In discussions about the economy 

nationwide, we hear that the fiscal situation at home 

in Tennessee and with the federal budget are getting 

more dire. The growing income disparity further 

erodes the already shrinking middle class, pointing 

out the disproportionate burden being placed on 

working families. Meanwhile, corporations continue 

to exploit loopholes in the tax code and avoid shared 

responsibility. The analysis below is an attempt to 

answer the question: What is the impact of corporate 

tax loopholes? 

Lost State Revenue 

A December 2011 study by the Citizens for Tax Justice 

and the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy 

reported on the state and local income tax payments of 

265 profitable Fortune 500 companies. 

The report focused on 265 Fortune 500 companies 

that fully disclosed their tax payments, finding the 

following: 

• 68 companies paid no state income tax at all in 

at least one year from 2008 through 2010 and 16 of these 

companies had multiple no-tax years. 

• In 2009, 32 companies paid no state income tax. 

• The corporations were able to avoid a total of 

$42.7 billion in state corporate income taxes from 2008 

through 2010. U.S. profits totaling $1.33 trillion were 

reported to shareholders. Paying the 6.2 percent average 

state corporate tax rate, the corporations would have 

paid $82.6 billion in state corporate income taxes over 

the 2008-10 period. Instead, they paid only $39.9 billion. 

The companies used in the study operate throughout 

the United States. However, these companies do not 

disclose profits and taxes on a state-by-state basis, so 

the findings do not show conclusively whether specific 

companies paid any income tax in specific states. 

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Government 

reports that corporate income taxes make up only 5.7 

percent of state revenues, which is down from 9.7 percent 

in 1980. 

Lost Federal Revenue 

A November 2011 report by the National Education 

Association noted that $222.7 billion of federal revenue 

was lost for years 2008 through 2010 due to corporate 

tax avoidance. A total of $9.8 billion could have gone to 

public schools and colleges nationwide. 

How did this affect education funding in Tennessee? 

The scenarios below describe how the lost revenues could 

have been used to improve our society and potentially 

boost the economy. 

Lost Federal Dollars for Education and Other Aid 

• $200 million in lost federal dollars for education 

• Dollars would have supported 2,859 education jobs 

• $1,500 lost federal dollars for Other Grants to State 

and Localities. 

Lost Federal Dollars for Title I Grants 

• Would have provided $180 million in grant dollars 

that would have benefited 205,296 students in poverty 

• Average funding lost per student in poverty: $878. 

Lost Federal Dollars for Special Education 

• $200 million in lost grant dollars that would have 

benefited 119,455 students with disabilities. 

Lost Federal Dollars for Pell Grants 

• $191 million that would have benefited 148,462 

students in need 

• Average dollars lost per student in need: $1,286. 

Lost Federal Dollars for Head Start 

• $170 million in grant dollars that would have 

benefited 8,060 additional children in poverty who would 

have been enrolled in a Head Start program. 

Clearly, the amount of lost state and federal revenues 

due to corporate tax avoidance is significant. 

The amount of lost federal dollars alone could 

have funded or expanded programs for Tennessee’s 

children, expanded existing services and provided 

education positions for some of Tennessee’s 9.1 percent 

unemployed, based on the Tennessee Department of 

Labor and Workforce Development November 2011 

unemployment rate. At a time when the state continues 

its efforts to rebound from the Great Recession, budget 

revenues lost through corporate tax avoidance would not 

have been a luxury. According to experts who worked on 

many taxation studies, a fair tax burden is a necessity 

in funding education more appropriately, providing jobs 

and lessening the tax burden on the average working 

family. 

Melissa Brown is TEA manager of research. 

Stockpiled, Snow Days 

Rules Unchanged This Year 

Are school systems still allowed to use 

stockpiled days for snow days? TEA received a 

number of inquiries from teachers as to whether 

the State Department of Education has changed 

its policy on the use of stockpiled days for 

snow days. The Commissioner of Education has 

released the following statement in response to 

these inquiries: 

“State law allows school systems to stockpile 

up to 13 days by increasing the school day up to 

30 minutes and to use this excess time to make 

up for instruction missed due to dangerous or 

extreme weather conditions, such as snow. No 

approval is required from the commissioner 

provided the excess time is used for this purpose. 

Any school system that has adopted a school 

calendar with stockpiled days will be able to use 

that excess time for snow as it has in the past. 

“State law requires the approval of the 

commissioner if: 

1. A school system is using stockpiled 

days for other limited purposes outlined in the 

law—natural disasters, serious outbreaks of 

illness or dangerous structural or environmental 

conditions rendering a school unsafe for use; or 

2. Outright waiver of the 180-day 

instructional requirement in the event of a 

natural disaster or serious outbreak of illness. 

“For example, if a school system chose not 

to stockpile but then faced an illness outbreak 

where students missed a large number of days of 

instruction, it could apply to the commissioner 

for a waiver of the 180 day requirement.” 

Neither state law nor the State Department 

of Education has changed any law or policy 

regarding the use of stockpiled days for snow. 

Get Empowered, Connect 

At Minority Affairs Conference 

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend 

the Johnella Martin/TEA Statewide Minority 

Affairs Conference on March 23-24 at the 

DoubleTree Hotel in Chattanooga. 

Titled “Empowering and Connecting 

Educators to Meet Challenges, Today and 

Tomorrow,” the conference promises an exciting 

lineup of speakers and workshops. Registration 

deadline is March 12. 

Panelists Mary Mancini, Tennessee Sen. Jim Kyle, Sen. Andy Berke and Rep. Joe Pitts. 

How to Fix Our Economy 

Experts suggest strategies, question 

state use of incentives to business 

It may not be obvious when one enters the state 

legislature these days, but Tennessee has viable 

options as it tries to get its fiscal house in order. 

“Right here in the state legislature, when a bill 

is introduced, it seems the first question that gets 

asked is whether it’s good for business. The fair 

approach is to ask whether it’s good for the people 

of Tennessee,” said Mary Mancini of the Tennessee 

Citizen Action organization during the Jobs and 

the Economy Summit held at the end of last year in 

Nashville. 

Panelists and attendees agreed that education 

funding is the foundation of economic prosperity in 

Tennessee. 

“Education is a primary economic driver for 

the state and its localities,” said Matthew Murray, 

professor at the University of Tennessee Center 

for Business and Economic Research. “Education 

also creates important spillover benefits, such as 

increased longevity, lower infant mortality rates, 

more volunteerism and higher voting rates.” 

But current trends suggest that the focus in 

Tennessee has been elsewhere. With Tennessee’s 

unemployment rate hovering above the national 

average at 9.6 percent, and per-capita income 

growth of only 60 cents a year during the last 10 

years (in inflation-adjusted figures), it is clear that 

the economic engine needs adjusting. The gap 

between the poorest and wealthiest Tennesseans 

keeps growing wider. In fact, the state now ranks 

fifth in the nation in terms of wealth disparity, 

according to Michael Kahn, associate director of 

finance and economics at NEA. 

“Currently in Tennessee, tax structures are 

out of sync with the economy, and school funding 

is inadequate and inequitable. Schools lack the 

capacity to do their jobs, but teachers are being 

held accountable for student outcomes,” said Kahn. 

“These trends undermine our future economic 

prosperity.” 

To solve the state’s fiscal problems, Kahn 

suggested ensuring adequate and equitable 

funding for public education through a system of 

revenues that involves a level playing field for all 

businesses, large and small. “Above all, if we want 

to keep our economic edge in the knowledge-based 

global economy, we must make investment in public 

education our top priority,” he said. 

To the obvious argument that there is no 

money, Kahn questioned Tennessee’s current use of 

the so-called economic development subsidies to 

corporations. When the state of Tennessee offered 

$577 million in subsidies to lure the Volkswagen 

plant to Hamilton County, Kahn said the lost 

revenue could have been spent more wisely. Under 

the VW agreement, the city of Chattanooga and 

Hamilton Co. will forego $200 million in property 

tax collections for 30 years, and that’s just one 

example of the myriad subsidies being doled out by 

state and local officials to businesses every year. 

At the same time, education funding in Tennessee 

is now less than it was in 1970, and teacher salaries 

remain largely unchanged over the last 20 years, 

said Kahn. 

Adding another item to the economic 

prosperity wish list, Murray questioned the lack of 

transparency in tax increment financing currently 

used by localities for new economic development. 

“TIF financing likely does more to reallocate 

economic activity than create new activity,” he 

said. “TIFs may also divert funds from schools to 

financing of new development.” 

While offering a solution, Kahn invoked the 

name of billionaire investor Warren Buffett, the 

champion of fair taxation among the wealthy. 

“Just imagine the top one percent of income 

earners in Tennessee with an annual income of 

about $1.3 million paying at the same effective 

rate as the bottom 20 percent,” he said. “It would 

generate $2.2 billion—enough to wipe out the 

adequacy gap and fix the structural deficit.” 

Such measures may cause pro-business hawks 

to cry foul, but Kahn insisted that they won’t hurt 

small business because, according to IRS data, only 

2 percent of small business owners make more than 

$250,000 a year. 

“As China doubles its investment in education, 

no politician should be able to get away with saying 

that they care about our state’s and country’s 

future while shortchanging education,” said Jerry 

Winters, TEA manager of government relations, 

who attended the conference. 

More than 96% of 

TEA Dues Qualifies 

For IRS Tax Deduction 

The portion of TEA dues expended 

for government relations activities for 

2010/2011 is 3.82 percent. 

TEA members can deduct 96.18 percent 

of their dues for IRS income tax purposes. 

TEA provides a pass-through procedure 

whereby members contribute to TEA-FCPE 

(Tennessee Education Association Fund for 

Children and Public Education). 

The amount of TEA-FCPE pass-through 

for the current year is $4.41 per active 

member and $2.21 per ESP staff member. 

Members who do not desire to 

participate may divert these funds to other 

government relations activities — such as 

promotion of the TEA legislative program 

and lobbying — by completing and mailing 

the accompanying form, postmarked no 

later than April 10, 2012. 

I request that the portion of my dues eligible 

to be passed through to TEA-FCPE be used in 

other TEA Government Relations activities. 

Name (please print) 

4 February 2012 For details, visit www.teateachers.org. 

5 

Address 

City State ZIP 

Social Security Number 

Active Member 

School System 

Signature 

Education Support Professional 

Student Member 

Mail to: Tennessee Education Association, 

801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 

37201-1099. (This form must be postmarked or 

received no later than April 10, 2012.) 

www.teateachers.org

March 2012 

sun mon tues 

wed thurs fri sat 

1 

NEA’S Read 

Across 

America Day 

2 3 

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 

18 19 20 21 22 23 2 

24 

25 

26 27 28 29 30 

31 

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 

NEA’S Read Across America 

Building a Nation of Readers 

Tip ip of f the th the Month MMonth th 

How will you help the Lorax spread his 

message? How about planting a reading garden 

or creating a pledge tree? You’ll fi nd these ideas 

and more at www.seussville.com. 

Link of the Month 

Stay connected to NEA’s Read Across America 

through our website and Facebook page. Go 

to www.readacrossamerica.org to pledge and 

www.nea.org/readacross to download materials. 

Activity of the Month 

Proud of your Read Across America activities? 

Post and tweet your favorite photos, upload your 

videos to Schooltube and Youtube, and blog 

about ab b your favorite books. Sharing your stories 

will w inspire others to do the same. 

MARCH M DATES 

March 2 NEA’s Read Across America Day 

March 5 Teen Tech Week begins 

March 14 Pi Day 

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day 

www.nea.org/readacross 

w 

dacross 

6 February 2012 7 

Teen Tech 

Week begins 

Pi Day 

St. Patrick’s 

Day 

www.nea.org/readacross 

The 

Lorax, written and 

illustrated ill t t d by b Dr. D Seuss, S moves 

from page to screen nationwide 

on Read Across America Day. 

Here’s your chance to share your 

love of the book and fi lm. 

Published in1971 in 1971 by RandomHouseChildren’s Random House Children Children’s s Books Books. 

www.seussville.com. Artwork used with permission. 

Create a Dr. Seuss 

Reading Event 

The following is a simple 

scenario for elementary or 

middle school teachers who 

want to conduct a Read Across 

America event in their classroom. 

This is by far the most typical 

celebration and can be easily 

adapted to other situations. 

Consult your principal 

and obtain approvals. Most 

principals love Read Across 

America and are happy to get 

involved. 

Look at your school’s calendar 

and choose a date to celebrate. 

The official day is March 2. If this 

conflicts with another event, 

feel free to pick a different day. 

Some schools celebrate the 

week before or after. Talk to your 

principal and check your school 

calendar as early as possible to 

avoid any last-minute problems. 

Read the copyright and 

licensing arrangements. It’s 

important to honor NEA’s 

agreements with Dr. Seuss 

Enterprises in order to maintain 

this special relationship. 

Consult with your school 

librarian. It’s likely that he or 

she is already familiar with Read 

Across America and may have 

ideas to offer. Reserve books in 

advance—there may be a run on 

Dr. Seuss titles! 

Ask other teachers if they 

are making plans. Consider 

coordinating your efforts for a 

school-wide event. 

Invite guest readers to 

come to your class on March 

2 and read to your students. 

There is something powerful 

about a policeman, firefighter, 

mayor, radio personality, pastor, 

high school quarterback, or 

grandmother sharing their love 

for reading. 

Be sure to ask your guests 

to talk about why reading is 

important in their lives, and 

about their favorite books when 

they were kids. Afterwards, 

encourage your students to write 

thank-you notes. 

Make arrangements for a Dr. 

Seuss birthday cake if resources 

allow. 

Visit www.nea.org/ 

readacross for more ideas. 

www.teateachers.org

NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate Nominees 

TEA Members Run for NEA RA State Delegate Positions 

Delegates announce nominations for NEA’s 

highest decision-making body 

Biographical information and photographs submitted by candidates for state 

delegate positions to the National Education Association’s Representative Assembly 

in Washington, DC, June 30-July 5, 2012, are published in this four-page section. 

All properly qualified candidates will be listed on ballots which local association 

presidents will receive by March 1. 

For Category 1, NEA members will vote for two district delegates based on the 

district in which they teach. Category 1 includes candidates who are classroom 

teachers, education support professionals or persons who serve in other nonsupervisory 

positions. 

In Category 2, NEA members may vote for any three of the candidates. This 

category includes members who are supervisors, administrators or retired NEA life 

members. Information about clustering for supervisors/administrators and small local 

associations was printed in the November 2011 issue of teach. 

Any NEA-retired life, education support or active member not affiliated with a 

CATEGORY I 

District 1 

Leisa Lusk — Special 

Education teacher at David 

Crockett High School in 

Washington Co. Building 

Rep. for Washington Co. EA. 

Former WCEA vice president 

and president. Member of 

WCEA bargaining team. 

Chief spokesperson for WCEA 

bargaining team, grievance 

team committee chair, representative at TEA and 

NEA assemblies, current and past member of the 

TEA board of directors, legislative contact team 

member. Previously taught in Sevier Co. 

Anna Booher — Currently 

TEA FUND Council member 

and Membership Committee; 

served 1 term on TEA Board; 

3 time Bristol EA president; 

TEA Distinguished Educator; 

2 time Rotary Teacher of the 

Year; attended 13 NEA RAs; 

has served on 8 different TEA 

committees numerous times 

over 37 years; locally, is involved in numerous association 

activities, including FUND chairperson 

and Executive Committee; high school teacher in 

the Bristol City school district; holds graduate 

degree; Career Ladder III; ADK; DKG. 

District 2 

Gera Summerford — Math 

teacher from Gatlinburg- 

Pittman High School and has 

taught in Sevier County since 

1982; earned B.A. in mathematics 

and German from 

Baylor University, master’s 

degree in mathematics from 

the University of Tennessee, 

Ed.S. degree from Lincoln 

Memorial University; former chief negotiator for 

Sevier County Education Association; numerous 

other local leadership positions. TEA Board of 

Directors 2003-2006, TEA Vice-President 2006- 

2010, was elected TEA President in June 2010. 

Melinda S. Reese — Currently 

presiding on the TEA Board of 

Directors for District 2 and 

as HCEA’s President; 

HCEA’s Negotiations Chief 

Spokesperson; Active member 

of HCEA’s Executive Board; 

Served on the following HCEA 

committees: Negotiations, 

Membership, HCPACE, 

Legislative, & Newsletter; Chairperson of TEA‘s 

2009-2010 Professional Negotiations‘ Committee 

and participant of many TEA-sponsored events, 

such as Summer Leadership School, Bargaining 

Conferences, Area Cluster Meetings, TUEAC, 

Spring Symposium, Legislation/Lobbying days, 

local delegate to TEA RAs, & various workshops. 

Jackie Duncan * 

District 3 

Karen Starr — Morgan 

Co. native, received her 

bachelor of science degree 

in elementary education, 

grades 1-8, from Tennessee 

Technological University. 

She has earned a master’s 

degree and Ed.S. degree in 

curriculum and instruction 

from Tennessee Technological 

University. An active member since she began 

teaching in 1991, Karen has served several years 

as her building representative and attended 

numerous TEA conferences to represent her local 

association. 

Donna Jerden — Educator for 25 years and 

currently the librarian at Central Middle School 

in Wartburg, with 21 years of experience in the 

classroom and 4 years on TEA staff. Spent 11 years 

as a classroom teacher and ten years as a librarian. 

BS, MA, and Ed.S. from TTU with certification 

local association who wishes to vote in the election may receive a ballot by writing or 

calling TEA, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099, (615) 242-8392 or 

(800) 342-8367. 

The National Education Association Representative Assembly (RA) is NEA’s 

highest decision-making body. With over 9,000 delegates, it is also the world’s largest 

democratic, deliberative body. 

The RA is convened every July during the Annual Meeting. While the first two days 

are devoted to discussions, conferences, and exhibits, the highlight is the Representative 

Assembly itself. During this important event, delegates debate issues that impact 

American public education, elect NEA officers, and set policy for the 3.2 million-member 

Association. 

In conjunction with the Annual Meeting, NEA also hosts several pre-RA events, 

including the Joint Conference on the Concerns of Minorities and Women. The annual 

two-day event attracts more than 1,000 active and retired teachers, education support 

professionals (ESP) and higher education employees. Participants explore societal 

trends, the latest education research, current reform, best practices, and other critical 

issues affecting students and employees. We invite you to come and lend your voice to 

the conversation. 

Margaret Morgan * 

District 4 

in Elementary, Library, and 

Beginning Administrator. 

“I have always enjoyed 

storytelling and politics, 

but I’m most adamant about 

children and their access to 

quality public education.” 

Tanya Coats — Instructional 

Coach (CIF); Green Magnet 

Math & Science Academy; 

KCEA treasurer, KCEA 

Executive Board Member, 

Member of TEA Board of 

Directors for East Tennessee; 

KCEA committee member 

of the following: Minority 

Affairs, Public Relations, 

Elections, Human Resource; Green Magnet’s SWS 

Leadership Team, Coaches Network. Serves as one 

of TEA Minority Affairs chairs. “As a former chair of 

TEA’s Administrative Task Force Committee, I have 

learned that representing everyone is important.” 

Paula Hancock — 8th Grade 

Mathematics Teacher, Vine 

Middle Magnet School; 

TEA Board of Directors, 

East Tennessee Black 

Classroom Teacher; KCEA 

Association Representative; 

KCEA Minority Affairs 

Committee; TEA Resolutions 

Committee; TEA Representative Assembly; NEA 

Representative Assembly. 

Anthony Hancock — Special Education Teacher; 

Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC), 

Bearden Middle School. Knox County EA: Minority 

Affairs Leadership Committee, Association 

Representative. TEA: State Resolutions member, 

Southeast Regional Minority Leadership Training 

Committee, Minority Affairs 

Leadership committee, New 

Teachers Training Committee, 

State Delegate – RA Assembly. 

NEA: NEA Resolutions 

Committee. 

Karen Peterman — Knox 

County classroom teacher 

with 28 years of experience. 

BS, BA, MS (+45 hrs). KCEA 

Executive Board, 2005 TEA 

Distinguished Classroom 

Teacher. Former local 

president, vice president, 

secretary, treasurer, 

newsletter editor, chief 

negotiator and TUEAC 

president. Served on TEA’s 

IPD Commission, Resolutions, Status of Women, 

and NEA Concerns Committees 17 TEA & 15 NEA 

Representative Assemblies. “I hope that you 

will allow me to represent you at this important 

national meeting.” 

Joan Washington — 

Solutions’ Teacher, Beaumont 

Elementary, Knox County: 24 

years experience. Member: 

KCEA Executive Board, KCEA 

Minority Affairs, TEA, NEA. 

Candidate for Distinguished 

Teacher Award. Committees: 

Teacher Evaluation Advisory 

and TUEAC. Served on Mentoring Team for Knox 

County, Project Grad Cooperative Management 

Consistency Discipline Coach for several years, 

Chair of Education Advancement Fund, Alpha 

Kappa Alpha Sorority. Children of God Ministries’ 

Secretary. “I would like to serve as your 2012 NEA 

RA State Delegate.” 

District 5 

Diane Lillard — Kindergarten teacher at 

Waterville Elementary. She is a graduate of 

Lee University with a B. S. in Early Childhood 

Elementary Education and 29 years experience. 

She is currently serving on the NEA Board of 

Directors. Local association 

experience: Bradley County 

EA president, treasurer, 

executive board, chief 

negotiator, membership 

chair, newsletter editor, 

communications chair, PR&R 

chair, AEW coordinator, 

Research chair, Read Across 

America coordinator. 

State Experience: TEA ION, Communications, 

Membership, Member Benefits, IPD Commission, 

Insurance, Professional Negotiations. 

Sandy Smith — With Hamilton 

County since 1987. B.S. 

degree from the University of 

Chattanooga and a M.Ed. from 

UTC. Completed graduate 

work through Project 

Re-ed at the University of 

Tennessee. Currently serves 

as H-PACE chair (4), HCEA 

Board of Directors (3), TEA 

State Special Schools Committee(2). Previous 

activities include TEA IPD Commission (3), HCEA 

IPD Chair (3), Chair of Legislative Branch (3),HCEA 

Legislative Committee (3), TEA/HCEA Legislative 

Contact (1), Grassroots Cadre (3), KEYS facilitator, 

Superintendent’s Advisory Council (6). 

Sandra C. Griffin — More than 30 years in education, 

middle school reading teacher. Personal 

motto: “Don’t let anyone extinguish your flame 

for achieving greatness.” B.S. Clark-Atlanta 

University; M.Ed. Trevecca University; Doctor of 

Bible Ministry, Covington Theological Seminary. 

Member of TEA-NEA, HCEA Board of Directors, 

district negotiation team, H-Pace, TEA-Legislative 

Contact, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi 

Delta Kappa Sorority, Daughters of Isis, PHA, 

Member of Warren Chapel AMEC. Married to Rev. 

A.C. Griffin, Jr. Mother of Tanacha L. Griffin and 

A.C. Griffin III. 

Deborah Taylor — Algebra I 

educator at East Ridge High 

School, more than 25 years 

in Hamilton County schools; 

TEA committees—Status of 

Women and Minority Affairs; 

TEA/NEA Representative 

Assemblies; served as HCEA 

AR and alternate. Tennessee 

State University (B.S.), Trevecca (M.Ed.), Delta 

Sigma Theta Sorority, Phi Delta Kappa Sorority, 

DOI, PHA. “Serving as your 2012 NEA Delegate at 

the RA would be an honor.” 

Michael Plumley — Media 

Specialist at Waterville 

Community Elementary 

School in Bradley County. I 

have been a member of the 

Association for all of my 

professional career of 35 

years. I have served my local 

in several areas of leadership 

including AR, secretary, 

treasurer, president-elect, member of the 

executive board, negotiations team, membership 

chair. I have served TEA on many state 

committees including Professional Negotiations, 

Communications, Member Benefits, ESP, IPD 

Commission, TEA Resolutions, and currently on 

ION Committee. 

Bryan Massengale — Band 

director at Rhea Central 

Elementary School, Rhea 

County since 1984. “I live 

on the farm where my father 

was born in 1923.” B.S. 

degree in music education, 

University of Tennessee, 

Knoxville, 1980; M.S. degree 

in Administration & Supervision, UT-Knoxville, 

1993; Ed. S. in Educational Leadership, Tennessee 

Tech University. Rhea-Dayton EA president, past 

president, newsletter editor, chief negotiator; 

NEA: past NEA Today local editor advisory board; 

attended 12 previous NEA Representative 

Assemblies. 


District 6 

Beth Brown * 

Tommy Scott Price — Math 

teacher at Coffee County 

Central High School since 

1996. Current and past 

President of the Coffee Co. 

EA. Served as local delegate 

to TEA/TEA RA for several 

years. Recently appointed 

chairman of the PECCA Special 

Question Committee for Coffee County Schools. 

B.A. in secondary education mathematics, 1993. 

M.Ed., MTSU, 2007. Taught at Hamilton Co. Schools 

between 1993 and 1995. 

District 7 

Bonnie Dixon * 

Derek Frisby * 

Barbara Fisher — Lebanon 

Special School District, 31 

years; B.A. education, M.A. 

administration/supervision, 

+45, TSU; Lebanon EA 

Executive Board advisory; 

TEA Executive Board; past 

Status of Women chair; TEA 

RA 23 years; NEA RA 18 years; 

Retired Teachers Legislative 

Committee; Minority Affairs advisory; Phi Delta 

Kappa Executive Board; Delta Sigma Theta; Kappa 

Omicron Phi; “I will continue to represent the 

vision, ideals and commitment of the NEA.” 

District 8 

Kawanda Braxton * 

District 9 

Candra Clariette * 

Stephen Henry — MNEA: 

President, Vice-President, 

Treasurer, Parliamentarian, 

Board-District Director, 

Executive Committee, Chief 

Negotiator; Committee Chair- 

Budget & Finance, Public 

Relations, Bylaws, Human 

Relations; PACE Council, 

Martin Human Relations Award, TEA: Board of 

Directors, TEA-FCPE Council, Committees-NEA 

Concerns, Executive, Negotiations, Credentials, 

Human Relations, Communications, Chair-ION & 

Human Relations; “I Can Do It” Trainer, Johnson 

Human Relations Award, TUEAC, NEA: Board 

of Directors & Executive Committee-Official 

Observer, Committees-SOGI, Equity & Ethnic 

Harmony; NEA-FCPE Council, HCR Division- 

National Trainer, NCUEA, 2011 Education 

International World Congress Delegate. 

Erick Huth — Vice president 

of the Metropolitan Nashville 

Education Association, 

which he represents on 

the TEA Board of Directors. 

He also serves as trustee 

and executive committee 

member of the Tennessee 

Consolidated Retirement 

System, a trustee on the Metro Teacher Retirement 

System, the Metropolitan Professional Employee 

Insurance Trust and Sick Leave Bank. Formerly: 

NCUEA Parliamentarian and Regional Director, 

MNEA chief bargaining spokesperson, Bylaws, 

PR, Building Chair for MNEA; president Tennessee 

Urban Education Associations Council. 

Earl Wiman — NEA Executive 

Committee, Teacher on 

special assignment, 

Metropolitan Nashville Public 

Schools; past TEA president, 

vice president, executive 

committee member, TPACE 

Committee member and 

board member; holds 

undergraduate, graduate and 

postgraduate degrees; has attended numerous 

NEA RAs and served on the NEA Resolutions 

Committee; chaired state committees, involved 

in numerous local association activities, 

Metropolitan Nashville EA Executive Committee. 

Jeannine Renfro — Has been a teacher in Metro 

Nashville Public schools for 13 years. She has 

served as a Metro Nashville Education Association 

Representative, Chair of the Scholarship and 

Communications Committees, and was a member 

of the local negotiation team. Jeannine has also 

attended TEA Bargaining Conference, NCUEA Fall 

Conference, Quality Schools Summit, TEA-RA and 

NEA-RA. “I would consider it an honor to serve 

and represent TEA District 9 at the 2012 NEA 

Representative Assembly.” 

Kenneth Martin — 

Currently serves as MNEA 

Parliamentarian and Chair 

of the MNEA Committee on 

Constitution, Bylaws, and 

Standing Rules. Martin is 

an exceptional education 

teacher at Martin Luther 

King Magnet School. Former 

roles in MNEA include Treasurer, Association 

Representative, Negotiations Team Member, 

Minority Affairs Chairperson, Budget Committee 

Chairperson, Special Education Committee Chair, 

TEA delegate, NEA delegate, and MNEA organizer 

for NEA Target of Opportunities Campaign. 

Theresa L. Wagner — Professional: Adapted 

Physical Education Teacher in Louisiana (1986- 

98); Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools 

Physical Education Teacher (1998-present). 

MNEA: Chair Human Relations Committee 

(2007-08; 2010-11); Executive Board Director 

(2007-present); Chair Membership Committee 

(2008-10); Delegate to TEA Representative 

Assembly (2006-11); 

Groupsite & Facebook Social 

Media Administrator (2009present). 

TEA: Legislative 

Editing Committee (2006- 

08); Status of Women in 

Education Committee (2008- 

10); Membership Committee 

(2010-present); TUEAC 

President (2010-present); 

TEA Delegate to NEA Annual Meeting (2008-11). 

NEA: Human and Civil Rights Division/GLBT Cadre 

trainer (2007-present). 

Claudia Davidson * 

Carrol Trusty — Career Ladder 

Level III teacher with more 

than 30 years experience 

teaching English, debate and 

drama in Davidson, Wilson 

and Rutherford Counties, 

currently teaches at Antioch 

High and is lead teacher for 

Twilight School. Her service 

includes 2011-13 MNEA Secretary, Association 

Representative, TEA Professional Negotiations 

Committee, MNEA Rights and Responsibility 

Committee, NEA Annual Meeting Review 

Committee, Bargaining Team, delegate to the 

TEA Representative Assembly, and delegate NEA 

Annual Meeting. 

Avery Ewing * 

Michele Sheriff — Has 

taught in Metro Nashville 

Public Schools for 19 years 

and currently teaches fourth 

grade EL at Gower Elementary 

School. As an active member 

of MNEA, she currently 

serves as the MNEA Building 

Representative and serves 

on the Professional Rights and Responsibilities 

Committee. Former roles in MNEA include 

Association Representative, Negotiations Team 

Member, and she attended the TEA Bargaining 

Conference. “I would consider it an honor to 

represent District 9 at the 2012 NEA RA.” 

Vernon Porter * 

Trevor Holt — Library 

information specialist at 

Brick Church Middle School, 

was elected MNEA Treasurer 

in 2011. Prior to joining 

MNPS, Dr. Holt was employed 

at Tennessee Preparatory 

School as a teacher-librarian 

and MTSU as an associate 

professor in educational leadership. She has 

served on TEA’s Special Schools and Status of 

Women committees; MNEA District 1 Director; 

MNEA Minority Affairs Committee Chair; MNEA 

delegate to TEA and NEA; and as Association Rep 

at TPS. 

www.teateachers.org

Deborah Smith * 

Rosemary Wade * 

District 10 

Christine Denton * 

NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate Nominees 

Guy Stanley — Speech/ 

psychology teacher (42), 

Greenbrier HS, Robertson 

County; RCEA: president (7), 

vice president, PACE chair; 

TEA: Board of Directors, 

Professional Negotiations, 

Communications, Legislative 

Editing, NEA Concerns 

Committee, Design Team: TEA 

RA (26); NEA RA (17); NEA: Board, Congressional 

Concerns Committee, Read Across America 

Advisory Committee; co-chair, NEA Southeast 

Regional Planning Committee; Tennessee High 

School Speech and Drama League Hall of Fame; 

“Stand up for Stanley and he will stand up for 

you.” 

Alzenia Walls — Career & 

Technical Education teacher at 

Station Camp High School in 

Sumner County. She received 

a Bachelor of Science Degree 

from University of Arkansas at 

Pine Blue; Master of Education 

Degree from University of 

Nevada, Las Vegas and a 

Doctorate Degree from Nova 

Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. 

This is her 34th year in public education; 27 years 

in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas, 

Nevada and 7th year in Sumner County, where she is 

currently president of SCEA. 

Jane Ligon — Senior 

Administrative Assistant/ 

Bookkeeper at Bransford 

Elementary, Robertson 

County. RCEA – 1st Vice 

President, Chair of the Ethnic 

Minority Affairs Committee 

and member of the Education 

Support Professional 

Committee; TEA – State 

Special Schools Committee; NEA – Secretary 

of National Council of Education Support 

Professionals, member of Advisory Committee on 

Membership, Ethnic Minority Affairs, and Status 

of Women Caucus. Former member TEA and NEA 

Board of Directors, delegate to the TEA and NEA 

Representative Assembly for numerous years. 

Mike Brown — Retired 

in 2006, currently works 

part-time with at-risk high 

school students; active in 

Robertson County EA since 

1976; served as first vicepresident 

and membership 

chair; represented RCEA 

at numerous TEA and NEA 

RAs, seminars and academies; former TEA 

Board member representing Middle Tennessee 

Administrators and former TEA Executive 

Committee member; “I wish to continue to serve 

the membership of TEA and ask for your support as 

a state delegate to the 2012 NEA RA.” 

Larry Proffitt — Teaches 

7th grade language arts and 

social studies at Greenbrier 

Middle School in Robertson 

Co. He is a former president 

of the Cocke County EA. 

Larry has represented 

members at several TEA and 

NEA representative assemblies since becoming 

an advocate as a student and continuing into 

his professional career. He serves locally as a 

new member of the RCEA bargaining team and 

as a legislative contact to Rep. Joshua Evans. 

Represents members’ interests on the TEA Board. 

District 11 

Melanie Buchanan * 

District 12 

Debbie D’Angelo — Debbie 

D’Angelo has taught for 12 

years in the Henry County 

School System. TEA board 

member. Currently serves 

as reading specialist 

for Harrelson School, 

working with students in 

Kindergarten through third 

grade who score below grade 

level in reading. D’Angelo has been a member of 

the Association for 10 years. She has been the 

Vice President, President and currently is the 

Membership Chair for her local Association. She 

has been actively involved as a member of the 

the local negotiation team, attended Summer 

Leadership, Bargaining Conference, Southeast 

Regional Conferences, and the NEA-RA. 

District 13 

Ernestine King — Special 

education teacher in 

Shelby County Schools. Her 

credentials include A.S., 

B.S., Med, Ed.S., serving 

on the board of directors, 

Shelby County Education 

Association, District 7. She 

has served on the Minority 

Affairs Committee, IPD 

Commission, Human Relations Committee, TEA’s 

Special Education Ad Hoc Committee, Legislative 

Committee, and Human Relations Committee. 

Ernestine has attended several leadership 

conferences and TUEAC spring symposia. Other 

experiences include NEA’s Southeast Regional 

conferences; NBCT mentor, NBCT scorer, NEA’s 

grant reader. She joined as student member of 

TEA/NEA in 1997. 

Diccie Smith — Has worked 

27 years for Shelby County 

Schools. Served on various 

committees, held various 

leadership positions and 

attended many workshops 

and conferences on the local, 

state, and national levels. 

Attended several TEA/NEA 

Representative Assemblies. Currently a resource 

co-teacher—5th and 8th grades (LA/Math), 

represent District 7 (SC-PACE), ethnic minority 

director-at-large (NCUEA), a member of the 

Legislative Contact Team, SCEA, TEA, NEA Board of 

Directors. “I am committed to advocating for you, 

our students and public education.” 

Sammy Jobe — Currently 

president of the Shelby 

County Education 

Association. Heath/physical 

education teacher, boys’ 

basketball coach (17 years) 

Collierville Middle School, 

Shelby County. B.S.Ed. 

- University of Memphis, 

M.S.Ed. Administration and Supervision - 

Trevecca Nazarene University. 45 hours post 

graduate studies-elementary certification. SCEA 

Board of Directors-8 years; Nashville Capitol 

Hill lobbying – 12 years; Building AR-11 years; 

election committee co-chairman; liaison for 

SCEA newsletter; Educator Benefits; TEA Board 

of Directors; 14 TEA RAs; four TEA Leadership 

Academies; TEA membership committee--two 

years. 

District 14 

LaVerne Dickerson — 

Currently serving third year 

on the TEA Board of Directors; 

member of the Memphis 

Education Association; 

locally fifth grade teacher 

at Westhaven Success 

Academy; Memphis Education 

Association Bargaining Chair; 

have chaired Minority Affairs, IPD, Read Across 

America; state level - currently Minority Affairs 

chairman; have attended TEA RAs for many years 

and NEA RAs for approximately 10 years; recently 

won a 3600 Award for going above and beyond 

teaching expectations; 36-year veteran teacher. 

Sarah-Kennedy Harper — Proud teacher of 

Memphis City Schools in West 

Tennessee. Currently serving 

her second term on the TEA 

board of directors. Having 

taught for 15 years, she has 

been a delegate to the TEA 

RA a number of years. “I know 

now that teaching is what I 

was born to do and a teacher 

is who I am. It’s in my blood.” 

Martha A. Shaw * 

Tabatha Holmes * 

Anecia Scott * 

Carolyn Jamison * 

Anthony D. Harris * 

Hattie Woodard * 

Mildred J. Williams * 

Vincent Thomas * 

Yalaunda Y. Taylor * 

Sharon B. Macklin * 

Annette Gladney * 

Jerry O. Graham * 

Adrienne Jones-Jewell * 

District 15 

Stephanie Fitzgerald * 

Dana Payne * 

Monica Hayes-Roberson * 

Jennifer P. Webb * 

Edward Harper * 

Frednardo Davis * 

Osea Creggett * 

Glenda Patterson Jones * 

Crystal E. Harper * 

Denise Cunningham * 

Erika Sugarmon * 

DeJuan Parker * 

Yolanda Crawford * 

Tiffany T. Reed * 

Brenda Porter * 

Derick Bell * 

CATEGORY 2 

Barbara Gray — Assistant principal, teacher 

Shelby County Schools 

since 1972; currently: 

TEA Vice-President, chair 

NEA Concerns Committee; 

Shelby County EA positions: 

president, vice-president, 

Administrator SCEA Board 

(2), Minority Affairs, 

Constitution & By-laws, 

Member Benefits, SC-PACE, 

Membership committee, building representative; 

TEA positions: West TN Administrator, chair State 

Board Contact Committee; Executive Committee 

(2), ION, Membership Chair, Communication, 

Technology, Administrative Task Force, Credential 

committees, lobbying, and numerous other 

activities. Attended TEA RA, NEA RA. “I would like 

to be your voice at 2012 NEA RA.” 

Charles Green * 

Johnny Henry * 

Margaret Thompson — I have represented 

administrators from middle Tennessee on the 

TEA Board for the past three years. I have taught 

school for more than 30 years. I have been an 

administrator for seven years in Robertson Co., 

all the while being a member of Robertson Co. EA. 

Throughout my years of Association membership, 

I have worked on numerous committees, as well as 

recruited membership. During my tenure on the 

Board, I have attended four NEA RAs. 

Paula Brown * 

Brad Corum * 

Danny Weeks — Has been 

an educator in the Robertson 

County system for 22 years; 

currently serves as Supervisor of 

Secondary Schools; Association 

experiences include STEA State 

President, local president, 

treasurer and delegate; has 

served on the Middle Tennessee 

EA Executive Committee, where 

he later served as president; served on the TEA 

Board of Directors representing Middle Tennessee 

administrators, 1998-2003. 

Melinda Douthat Pruitt — 

Special Education Supervisor, 

Greene County Schools, 

30 years: 16/teacher, 14/ 

administrator; B.S./M.S. 

UT-K, Doctorate ETSU; 

GCEA: treasurer 2004-2006, 

president 2001, 1995, 

president-elect 2000, 1994, 

vice president 1999, 1993; TEA: Committees— 

Status of Women 2006-2007, ION 2003-2004, 

Membership 2001-2002, Insurance 1999-2000, 

Negotiations 1997-1998, Administrator Task Force 

2005-2006; TEA RA (16), NEA RA (12); Honors: TEA 

Distinguished Administrator 2001-2002; Who’s 

Who in American Education 1989-2009. “I would 

appreciate your vote for state NEA RA delegate.” 

* — no photo or bio at press time. 

The 2012 NEA RA will be held June 30 

through July 5 in Washington, DC. 

TEA Salutes 2011 National 

Board-Certified Teachers 

Hats off to 29 TEA members who became new National 

Board Certified Teachers (NBCTs) in December 2011 as 

Tennessee continues to advance the National Board 

Certification movement. 

With a total of 535 National Board-certified teachers 

in Tennessee, the state currently ranks 27th nationally. 

“This is wonderful because there has not been a 

statewide incentive or a fee assistance program,” said 

Susan Dalton, coordinator at the TEA Instruction and 

Professional Development division which assists TEA 

members in getting new certification and continuing 

education. “There has been limited federal assistance 

to bring the numbers up, and it will be interesting to see 

whether those districts that have offered incentives will 

continue the practice under the new laws which eliminated 

collective bargaining in Tennessee.” 

Dalton said there is strong evidence that TEA has 

played a crucial role in promoting full certification 

through the Take One! grant process. For instance, of the 

10 newest NBCTs in Hamilton Co., five started as Take One! 

participants. In Cleveland City and in Bradley County, 

both new NBCTs started as Take One! participants. “We 

had a similar Take One! success story last year in East 

Tennessee,” Dalton said. 

Although the class of 2011 is not the largest class, it 

has a high percentage of TEA members in recent years. 

Visit www.teateachers.org for certification info. 

Cleveland City: Angelia Goodwill 

Davidson County ($850 fee assistance and $4000 

annual supplement): Mary Bradshaw, Andrea Crews, 

Juanita Moore, Seth Swihart 

Franklin Special Schools (professional leave 

assistance, $4000 annual supplement): Mary Curtis, 

Jennifer Hacker, Susan Nash 

Hamilton County (candidate support, retake 

assistance, $4000 annual supplement): Brinn Dalton, 

Karen Fogo, Jennifer Greever , Autumn Hart, Steven 

Hinkle, Virginia Kidd, Tara Tharp 

Hawkins County: Rhonda Richards 

Kingsport City Schools (fee and retake assistance, 

professional leave assistance): Sara Eik 

Memphis City ($6,000-$10,000 annual supplement): 

Kemm Browne, Kim Buie, Michelle Hope, Atina Scott 

Jones, Michelle Elmore Lake, Patrece Morrow, Amy 

Murdock, Kamilah Whitley 

Roane County ($4000 annual supplement): Christy 

Ruskey 

Williamson County (fee assistance, video/logistical 

assistance, $4000 annual supplement): Amanda Clarke, 

Sue Jordan, Tiffany Wilson-Mobley 

 

 


www.teateachers.org

STEA members and TEA-retired teachers support Blue Springs Elementary School faculty in Bradley Co. 

Student Teachers, Retirees Help Three Schools 

Student teachers and members of the TEA-Retired 

Association joined forces last year to bolster the spirit of 

students and staff of three Tennessee schools in need of 

financial and emotional help. 

STEA members raised nearly $3,000 with their retired 

colleagues through a service project designed and 

implemented by the TEA student affiliate. 

“With the help of local associations, we identified three 

schools in each of the three grand divisions of the state,” 

said Nicki Fields, STEA coordinator with the Instruction and 

Professional Development division of TEA. “We were able 

to support programs most in need of funding at Gordon 

Elementary in Memphis, Buena Vista Elementary in Nashville 

and Blue Springs Elementary in Bradley County.” 

Thanks to the joint fundraising efforts, Gordon Elementary 

students received much-needed standard school attire. 

Buena Vista Elementary teachers received additional 

funds to boost the school’s backpack program, through which 

students in need receive food for the weekend as well as 

various incentives for good grades. 

“In Bradley Co. we helped a school that was destroyed by 

the tornado last April,” said Caryce Gilmore, a student member 

at the University of Tennessee-Martin and STEA president 

(pictured above, center). “Blue Springs Elementary teachers 

and kids were at school when the tornado hit. Once they were 

evacuated, they were able to salvage only some of their things. 

A lot of them lost pretty much everything.” 

After spending the remainder of the school year in 

gymnasiums and libraries across the county, Blue Springs 

faculty learned that their school would not reopen in August. 

“We were told to reapply for jobs like we did something 

wrong,” said one teacher who asked not to be identified. “Now 

we’re split up across the county in different schools, like our 

students.” 

Nine Blue Springs classroom teachers received gift cards to 

purchase schools supplies. For some of them, this was the first 

opportunity to reunite after the tornado. 

“We talked about that day and we all cried,” said Fields. “It 

was just a good, emotion-filled visit.” 

Having encouraged Bradley County administrators to 

build a new school where Blue Springs faculty and students 

can reunite once again under one roof, STEA and TEA-Retired 

members are preparing to expand their efforts to more 

Tennessee schools. 

TEA Calendar of Events 

March 1 Deadline for submitting nominations 

for Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall 

scholarships 

March 2 Read Across America Day 

March 11 Daylight savings time begins 

March 13 Deadline for submitting TEA 

Constitution and Bylaws amendment 

proposals and nominations 

and biographical information for 

candidates for TEA offices 

March 16-17 TEA Symposium, Gatlinburg 

March 22-23 FTA Convention, Nashville 

March 23-24 Student-TEA Convention, Nashville 

March 23-24 Minority Affairs Conference, 

Chattanooga 

April 8 Easter 

Need information, services? 

Mitchell Johnson 

Assistant Executive Director for Affi liate 

Services 

Donna Cotner 

Managers of UniServ 

Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue 

N., Nashville, TN 37201-1099 

(615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581 

UniServ Coordinators 

District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabethton, 

TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, fax: (423)262- 

8053; Assns: Carter, Hancock, Hawkins, Rogersville, 

Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Kingsport, Northeast State 

C.C. District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, P.O. Box 70, Afton, 

TN 37616; (423)234-0700, fax: (423)234-0708; Assns: 

Cocke, Newport, Elizabethton, Greene, Greeneville, 

Unicoi, Washington, Johnson City, ETSU. District 

3 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 74, Corryton, TN 37721; 

(865)688-1175, fax: (865)688-5188; Assns: Claiborne, 

Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Sevier, Union, Walter 

State C.C. District 4 — Jon White, Knox County 

Education Association, 2411 Magnolia Ave., Knoxville, 

TN 37917-8289; (865)522-9793, fax: (865)522-9866; 

Assns: Knox, UT-Knoxville, Pellisippi State C.C., TSD. 

District 5— Jason White, Assns: Anderson, Clinton, 

Oak Ridge, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, 

Scott, Oneida, TSD, York Institute District 6 — Reba 

Luttrell, 503 Cardinal St., Maryville, TN 37803; phone/ 

fax: (865)983-8640; Assns: Blount, Alcoa, Maryville, 

Monroe, Sweetwater, Loudon, Lenoir City, Roane, 

Roane State C.C. District 7 — Jim Jordan, P.O. Box 

4878, Cleveland, TN 37320; phone/fax: (423)472-3315; 

Assns: Bledsoe, Bradley, Cleveland, McMinn, Athens, 

Etowah, Meigs, Polk, Rhea-Dayton, Cleveland State 

C.C. District 8 — Theresa Turner, 4655 Shallowford 

Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411; (423)485-9535, fax: 

(423)485-9512; Assns: Hamilton County, Chattanooga 

State C.C., UT-Chattanooga, Department of Higher 

Ed. District 9 — Jeff Garrett, 801 Second Avenue 

North, Nashville, TN 37201; (615)242-8392, ext. 228, or 

(800)342-8367; Assns: Coffee, Manchester, Tullahoma, 

Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, Van Buren, 

White, Warren. District 10 — Shannon Bain, 1001 

Rhett Place, Lebanon, TN 37087; phone: (615)547-7769, 

fax: (615)547-7879; Assns: Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon, 

Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, TTU. 

District 11 — Arthur Patterson, 101 Copperas Court, 

Murfreesboro, TN 37128; phone: (615)907-9912, fax: (615) 

907-5490; Assns: Cannon, Sumner, Wilson, Lebanon 

S.S.D., Volunteer State C.C. District 12 — Susan 

Young, P.O. Box 422, Madison, TN 37116-0422; phone/ 

fax: (615)865-9700; Assns: Cheatham, Rutherford, 

Murfreesboro, MTSU, TSB, TN Department of Education 

District 13 — Forestine Cole, Ralph Smith, 

Metro Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, TN 

37211; (615)726-1499, fax: (615)726-2501; Assns: Metro 

Nashville, Nashville State C.C., TSU, Department of 

Higher Education District 14 — Rhonda Thompson, 

801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201; 

(615)242-8392, ext. 321, or (800)342-8367; Assns: 

Clarksville-Montgomery, Robertson, APSU District 15 

— Miley Durham, P.O. Box 10, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464; 

phone/fax: (931)766-7874; Assns: Bedford, Giles, Lawrence, 

Lincoln, Fayetteville, Marshall, Moore, Motlow 

State C.C. District 16 — Jackie Pope, 2326 Valley 

Grove Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37128; (615) 898-1060, fax: 

(615) 898-1099; Assns: Lewis, Maury, Williamson, 

Franklin S.S.D. District 17 — Cheryl Richardson- 

Bradley, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201; 

(615)242-8392, ext. 233, or (800)342-8367; Assns: 

Decatur, Dickson, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, 

Perry, Wayne District 18 — Maria Uffelman, 

P.O. Box 99, Cumberland City, TN 37050; phone/fax: 

(931)827-3333; Assns: Benton, Carroll (West Carroll) 

Central, Clarksburg, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Gibson, 

Bradford, Humboldt, Milan, Trenton, Henry, Paris, 

Stewart, Weakley, UT-Martin, FTA District 19— Lorrie 

Butler, P.O. Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989- 

4860, fax: (731)989-9254; Assns: Chester, Hardeman, 

Henderson, Lexington, Jackson-Madison, McNairy, 

Jackson State C.C. District 20 — Karla Carpenter, 

P.O. Box 177, Brunswick, TN 38014; (901)590-2543, 

fax: (901)382-1433; Assns: Crockett, Dyer, Dyersburg, 

Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Union City, Tipton, 

Dyersburg State C.C. District 21 — Zandra Foster, 

3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN 38128; phone/fax: 

(901)377-9472; Assns: Fayette, Shelby, Southwest Tenn. 

C.C., University of Memphis. District 22/MEA — Ken 

Foster, Executive Director; MEA UniServ Directors: 

Marilyn Baker, Susanne Jackson, Terri Jones, 

Tom Marchand, Herman Sawyer, MEA, 126 South 

Flicker Street, Memphis, TN 38104; (901)454-0966, fax: 

(901)454-9979; Assn: Memphis. 

www.teateachers.org 

www.nea.org 

12 February 2012

February - Tennessee Education Association

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