Teach - February 2012

Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION February 2012 Vol. 43, No. 6 www.teateachers.org

Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION February 2012 Vol. 43, No. 6 www.teateachers.org

Let’s FixTennessee’s Evaluation System

Special Insert:Make Your Evaluation Work for You

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

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 postagepaid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $3.65 isallocated from annual membership dues of $254.00 for active members; $127.00 for associate, education support and staff members; $16.00 for retired mem-bers; 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 [email protected]

PUBLISHER: Alphonso C. ManceMANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS: A.L. Hayes

Tennessee Education Association801 Second Avenue NorthNashville, TN 37201-1099

Telephone: (615)242-8392, Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262

Fax: (615)259-4581Website: www.teateachers.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Gera Summerford* (800)342-8367VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (901)353-8590SECRETARY-TREASURER: Alphonso C. Mance (615)242-8392DISTRICT 1 Leisa Lusk (423)928-6819DISTRICT 2 Melinda Reese (423)587-2120DISTRICT 3 Karen Starr (423)628-2701DISTRICT 4 Tanya Coats (865)637-7494DISTRICT 5 Sandy Smith (423)991-8856DISTRICT 6 Beth Brown* (931)779-8016DISTRICT 7 Bonnie T. Dixon (931)967-9949DISTRICT 8 Kawanda Braxton (615)554-6286DISTRICT 9 Erick Huth (615)973-5851DISTRICT 10 Guy Stanley (615)384-2983DISTRICT 11 Melanie Buchanan* (615)305-2214DISTRICT 12 Debbie D’Angelo (731)247-3152 DISTRICT 13 Ernestine King (901)590-8188DISTRICT 14 Sarah Kennedy-Harper (901)416-4582 DISTRICT 15 Stephanie Fitzgerald (901)872-4878 ADMINISTRATOR EAST Johnny Henry (865)509-4829ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson (615)643-7823ADMINISTRATOR WEST Charles Green (901)624-6186HIGHER EDUCATION Derek Frisby (615)898-5881BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Paula Hancock (865)694-1691BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Alzenia Walls (615)230-8144BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST LaVerne Dickerson* (901)416-7122STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS VacancyESP Christine Denton (931)647-8962TN NEA DIRECTOR Stephen Henry* (615)519-5691TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627TN NEA DIRECTOR Diane Lillard (423)478-8827STEA MEMBER Caryce Gilmore (865)640-6590TN RETIRED Gerald Lillard (423)478-8827NEW TEACHER Candra Clariette (615)506-3493* Executive Committee

TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFFEXECUTIVE 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.

UniServ Staff contact informationcan be found on page 12.

Gera Summerford, President

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 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.

re-focus 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?

is simply not suitable. Teachers tell me they spend hours of precious time preparing to teach the “perfect” lesson with no assurance

Al Mance, Executive Director

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.

Governor’s Class Size, Salary Proposals Hurt

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.

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.

Evaluation Not Suitable in Current Form

Speaking out with you

2 February 2012

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 postagepaid at Nashville, TN. The subscription price of $3.65 isallocated from annual membership dues of $254.00 for active members; $127.00 for associate, education support and staff members; $16.00 for retired mem-bers; 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 [email protected]

PUBLISHER: Alphonso C. ManceMANAGER OF COMMUNICATIONS: A.L. Hayes

Tennessee Education Association801 Second Avenue NorthNashville, TN 37201-1099

Telephone: (615)242-8392, Toll Free: (800)342-8367, (800)342-8262

Fax: (615)259-4581Website: www.teateachers.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT: Gera Summerford* (800)342-8367VICE PRESIDENT: Barbara Gray* (901)353-8590SECRETARY-TREASURER: Alphonso C. Mance (615)242-8392DISTRICT 1 Leisa Lusk (423)928-6819DISTRICT 2 Melinda Reese (423)587-2120DISTRICT 3 Karen Starr (423)628-2701DISTRICT 4 Tanya Coats (865)637-7494DISTRICT 5 Sandy Smith (423)991-8856DISTRICT 6 Beth Brown* (931)779-8016DISTRICT 7 Bonnie T. Dixon (931)967-9949DISTRICT 8 Kawanda Braxton (615)554-6286DISTRICT 9 Erick Huth (615)973-5851DISTRICT 10 Guy Stanley (615)384-2983DISTRICT 11 Melanie Buchanan* (615)305-2214DISTRICT 12 Debbie D’Angelo (731)247-3152 DISTRICT 13 Ernestine King (901)590-8188DISTRICT 14 Sarah Kennedy-Harper (901)416-4582 DISTRICT 15 Stephanie Fitzgerald (901)872-4878 ADMINISTRATOR EAST Johnny Henry (865)509-4829ADMINISTRATOR MIDDLE Margaret Thompson (615)643-7823ADMINISTRATOR WEST Charles Green (901)624-6186HIGHER EDUCATION Derek Frisby (615)898-5881BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Paula Hancock (865)694-1691BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Alzenia Walls (615)230-8144BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST LaVerne Dickerson* (901)416-7122STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS VacancyESP Christine Denton (931)647-8962TN NEA DIRECTOR Stephen Henry* (615)519-5691TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627TN NEA DIRECTOR Diane Lillard (423)478-8827STEA MEMBER Caryce Gilmore (865)640-6590TN RETIRED Gerald Lillard (423)478-8827NEW TEACHER Candra Clariette (615)506-3493* Executive Committee

TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFFEXECUTIVE 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.

UniServ Staff contact informationcan be found on page 12.

3 www.teateachers.org

Shortly after the new teacher and principal evaluation was rolled out in Tennessee, TEA members and staff began evaluating its implementation, documenting areas of concern that adversely affect teaching and learning. TEA released its recommendations to correct the state’s flawed system at a news conference in mid-January.

“Tennessee’s teacher evaluation system and supporting data system are so flawed that they diminish the education program for Tennessee students,” said Gera Summerford, Sevier County high school math teacher and TEA president (pictured on the cover). “As a result, students suffer as teachers and administrators are distracted from focusing on student learning in order to meet the demands of the evaluation system.”

TEA’s list of recommendations includes:1. Designate the 2011-2012 initial implementation

year as a pilot/practice year for the new evaluation system so that no educator will be negatively affected by this year’s evaluation rating.

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.

3. Provide that teachers who achieve an evaluation rating of “Meets Expectations” (a three on the five-point rating scale) shall be eligible for tenure.

4. Streamline and strengthen the observation process:

* Reduce the number of required observations for accomplished teachers. For example, professionally licensed teachers with a rating of three or better (on a five-point scale) would receive one observation each year and a full evaluation cycle comprising multiple observations every five years.

* Utilize observation instruments which appropriately reflect how students learn and teachers teach across the range of teaching assignments.

* Simplify and streamline the observation instrument so criteria to be observed in a single lesson are realistic in both number and scope.

* Provide constructive feedback to teachers from one observation before the next one occurs.

* Base evaluation ratings on actual observations 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

that rating forms be provided to teachers after each observation.

5. Expand the 15 percent options and allow teacher choice as contemplated in the law.

6. Ensure accuracy of all data used in evaluations by providing a process for correcting erroneous data.

7. Deliver teachers’ final evaluation ratings no later than the last work day of the school year. Ensure that evaluation ratings are accompanied by recommendations for improvement and indications of the support to be provided to help teachers improve.

Governor’s Bill Puts Thousands of Jobs at RiskLarger 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 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.”

A Conference For Educational Support Professionals

TEA Building Saturday, April 21, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. _____

All ESPs Invited $15 Refundable Registration Fee Continental Breakfast and Lunch

CONFERENCE SESSIONS:

NEW LAWS: SUMMARY & EXPLANATION &WHAT CAN TEA DO FOR ME

YOUR RIGHTS: STATE & FEDERAL LAW

MANAGING MONEY & CREDIT

RETIREMENT

SOCIAL NETWORKING DO’S & DON’TS


Please shareor post

Educational Support Personnel

TEA Unveils Seven-Point Plan to Fix Evaluation

Current Class Size Limits (TCA 49 1 104)

Grade Average Maximumlevel per school per class

K 3 20 254 6 25 307 12 30 35Vocational 20 25

TEA BuildingSaturday, April 21, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.All ESPs Invited

$15 Refundable Registration FeeContinental Breakfast and Lunch


TEA Building Saturday, April 21, 2012

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. _____

All ESPs Invited $15 Refundable Registration Fee Continental Breakfast and Lunch

CONFERENCE SESSIONS:

NEW LAWS: SUMMARY & EXPLANATION &WHAT CAN TEA DO FOR ME

YOUR RIGHTS: STATE & FEDERAL LAW

MANAGING MONEY & CREDIT

RETIREMENT

SOCIAL NETWORKING DO’S & DON’TS


Please shareor post

Educational Support Personnel

4 February 2012

As we prepare to file our taxes, comparing our effective tax rates with those of presidential candidates and high net-worth 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 RevenueA 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:

• 68companiespaidnostateincometaxatallinat least one year from 2008 through 2010 and 16 of these companies had multiple no-tax years.

• In2009,32companiespaidnostateincometax.• Thecorporationswereabletoavoidatotalof

$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 RevenueA 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•$200millioninlostfederaldollarsforeducation•Dollarswouldhavesupported2,859educationjobs•$1,500lostfederaldollarsforOtherGrantstoState

and Localities.

Lost Federal Dollars for Title I Grants •Wouldhaveprovided$180millioningrantdollars

that would have benefited 205,296 students in poverty•Averagefundinglostperstudentinpoverty:$878.

Lost Federal Dollars for Special Education•$200millioninlostgrantdollarsthatwouldhave

benefited 119,455 students with disabilities.

Lost Federal Dollars for Pell Grants•$191millionthatwouldhavebenefited148,462

students in need•Averagedollarslostperstudentinneed:$1,286.

Lost Federal Dollars for Head Start•$170millioningrantdollarsthatwouldhave

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.

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.

Stockpiled, Snow Days Rules Unchanged This Year

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.

For details, visit www.teateachers.org.

Get Empowered, ConnectAt Minority Affairs Conference

Where Has All the Money Gone?By Melissa Brown


How to Fix Our EconomyExperts suggest strategies, question state use of incentives to business

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)

Address

City State ZIP

Social Security Number

School System

Signature

Active Member

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.)

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

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.

6 February 2012


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sun mon tues wed thurs fri satTip of the MonthHow 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 MonthStay 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 your favorite books. Sharing your stories will inspire others to do the same.

MARCH 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

NEA’S Read Across America Building a Nation of Readers

www.nea.org/readacross

The Lorax, written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss, 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 in 1971 by Random House Children’s Books. www.seussville.com. Artwork used with permission.

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Published in 1971 by Random House Children’s BooksPublished in 1971 by Random House Children s Books.www.seussville.com. Artwork used with permission.

WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

March 2012

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NEA’S Read Across

America Day

Pi Day St. Patrick’s Day

Teen Tech Week begins

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.

Create a Dr. Seuss Reading Event

8 February 2012

NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate Nominees

CATEGORY IDistrict 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 as-sociation 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 2Gera Summerford — Math teacher from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School and has taught in Sevier County since 1982; earned B.A. in math-ematics 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 3Karen 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

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.”

Margaret Morgan *

District 4Tanya 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 5Diane 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

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 non-supervisory 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

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.

TEA Members Run for NEA RA State Delegate Positions


NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate NomineesDirectors. 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 educa-tion, 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-Legis-lative 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 6Beth 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 8Kawanda Braxton *

District 9Candra 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 (2009-present). 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.

10 February 2012

NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate NomineesDeborah Smith *

Rosemary Wade *

District 10 Christine Denton *

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 vice-president 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 11Melanie Buchanan *

District 12Debbie 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 13Ernestine 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 14LaVerne 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 2Barbara 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 *


NEA Representative Assembly 2012 Delegate NomineesDanny 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.

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

TEA Salutes 2011 National Board-Certified Teachers

12 February 2012

Need information, services?Mitchell JohnsonAssistant Executive Director for Affi liate ServicesDonna CotnerManagers of UniServTennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue N., Nashville, TN 37201-1099(615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581

UniServ CoordinatorsDistrict 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabeth-ton, 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, Ma-con, 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 Educa-tion 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 Thomp-son, 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, Law-rence, 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, Hum-phreys, 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— Lor-rie 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.

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TEA Calendar of EventsMarch 1 Deadline for submitting nominations for Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall scholarshipsMarch 2 Read Across America DayMarch 11 Daylight savings time beginsMarch 13 Deadline for submitting TEA Constitution and Bylaws amendment proposals and nominations and biographical information for candidates for TEA officesMarch 16-17 TEA Symposium, GatlinburgMarch 22-23 FTA Convention, NashvilleMarch 23-24 Student-TEA Convention, NashvilleMarch 23-24 Minority Affairs Conference, ChattanoogaApril 8 Easter

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.

Student Teachers, Retirees Help Three SchoolsStudent Teachers, Retirees Help Three SchoolsSTEA members and TEA-retired teachers support Blue Springs Elementary School faculty in Bradley Co.

Teach - February 2012

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