The Advocate

Advocate

The

KCEA Officers President Sherry Morgan Vice President Heather Wallace Secretary Jennifer Owen Treasurer Tanya T. Coats Past President Jessica Holman _____

Executive Board Representatives Support Personnel Peggy Thomas High Schools Sandy Hughes Chad Negendank Middle Schools Karen Peterman Mary Brockett Elementary Schools Judy Barnes Ashley Anthony Joan Washington Alternative Schools Connie Mitchell Administration Brad Corrum Minority at Large Paula Hancock Parliamentarian Paula Brown _____

TEA / NEA East TN Minority Paula Hancock NEA Resolutions Anthony Hancock _____

KCEA Office UniServ Admin. Assistant Abbie Hoover

CANDIDATE BIOGRAPHIES President - 2 yr. term Tanya Thomas Coats

I have been involved in association activities since 1994. I have served as a representative for Lonsdale Elementary, Green Magnet and Bearden Elementary since 2000, KCEA Minority-at-Large (2007-2009), and KCEA Treasurer (2010-2013). I have been chair of Minority Affairs (2007-2009) and Finance Committee (20102013). I have served on the Human Relations Committee (2010-2013), KC-PAC ( 2010-present) and the Elections Committee (2011-2012). I have been a TEA delegate since 2000.

As a candidate for Presidency of KCEA, I believe we need to continue with strong leadership that has the experience to forge our way to be a sound and viable resource for teachers and administrators. My goal is to strengthen KCEA’s collaborative efforts with Knox County School and more importantly strengthen our membership. “Upon verifying my credentials in numerous leadership roles which have included being a parliamentarian, financial officer, logistics coordinator, event planner, collaborator, president and an on-going list of other offices. I have left a trail of evidence that will prove that I am well-prepared to be a captain of KCEA’s stronghold ship.

Therefore, I would appreciate your vote of confidence to represent KCEA as President.”

Vice-President - 2 yr. term Heather Wallace Heather Wallace is a 2nd grade teacher at Lonsdale Elementary School where she has been for 12 years. She has taught 2nd grade for eight years and taught 5th grade prior to that.

Heather also has one year of experience teaching at Karns Intermediate in the 5th grade as well as one year teaching high school English and journalism at Union County High School.

Heather has been a member of the association since she did her undergrad work at Lincoln Memorial University. There she completed a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Human Development with a K-8 licensure. After several years of teaching, Heather went back to school to obtain a Masters of Arts in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee Technological University.

Within the KCEA, Heather has been on various committees and has held several offices.

Heather also serves on TEA’s Instruction and Professional Development Commission, Please vote for Heather Wallace for VicePresident of KCEA.

Vice-President - 2 yr. term Joan Washington No biography available

Secretary - 2 yr. term Judy Barnes I have been a member of KCEA since 1996 and a member of TEA and NEA since my student days (1992). I have served on the Executive Board as elementary representative for the past three years. I have served on the County Commission contact team, chairing for three years, I have served on the County Continued on page 2

THE ADVOCATE

SPRING EDITION

Judy A. Barnes continued

Commission contact team, chairing for three years, and on the membership committee. I have been a building representative for more than 10 years. I have also attended numerous TEA and NEA representative assemblies.

I have been a special education teacher with KCS for the past 18 years. Prior to that, I worked as a secretary in the Department of Educational Leadership in the College of Education at The University of Tennessee. I also served for many years as secretary-treasurer of the university's chapter of Phi Delta Kappa.

I have the experience base, the dedication to our educational association, and the desire to serve as your next secretary.

1 - Middle School Rep. - 3 yr. term Marche Lee No biography available

Parents Agree – Better Assessments, Less High-Stakes Testing

By Tim Walker Educators aren’t alone in being fed up with narrow, punitive student accountability measures. Parents also want well-designed, timely assessments that monitor individual student performance and progress across a range of subjects and skills. That’s one of the key findings in a new study by the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA).

NWEA, a non-profit educational services organization headquartered in Portland, set out to find how the views of parents – often ignored in the debate over the direction of public education – stacked up against those of teachers and administrators.

After conducting online surveys of more than 1,000 respondents, NWEA found that these stakeholders essentially want the same thing.

MARCH 2013

Secretary - 2 yr. term Karen Peterman I am seeking election to the office of Association Secretary. I have over two decades of Association experience and have held the offices of KCEA president (199799), vice president (1995-97), secretary (2001-2003), and treasurer (2003-10). At the state level, I have served on the IPD Commission, the NEA Concerns Committee, the TEA Resolution Committee, and two terms as TUEAC president. I was selected as a TEA Distinguished Classroom Teacher in 2005.

My experience at both the local and state levels will serve me well as I execute the duties of this office. I look forward continuing to serve our Association.

Karen D. Peterman Social Studies West Valley Middle School

2 - Elementary School Rep. - 3 yr. term Amy Duncan No biography available

2 - Elementary School Rep. - 3 yr. term Megan Braly No biography available Large majorities say that, although year-end tests might provide some sort of useful snapshot, they strongly prefer more timely formative assessments to track student progress and provide educators with the flexibility to adjust their instruction during the school year. “The research reinforces the notion that no one assessment can provide the breadth and depth of information needed to help students succeed,” explained Matt Chapman, president and CEO of NWEA. “For every child we need multiple measures of performance.”

“Well-designed assessment systems do have a critical role in student success,” said NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. “We should use assessments to help students evaluate their own strengths and Continued on page 3

THE ADVOCATE

Take the “Kids Not Cuts” pledge I pledge to speak up for America’s kids by urging Congress to make the right choices to support public education and working families.

It’s time to stop giving tax breaks to the wealthiest two percent and corporations, while sticking kids and working families with the tab. If Congress fails to do the right thing, massive across-the-board cuts could mean another $3 billion taken from our schools – hurting students and costing jobs.

In real terms, those cuts mean kids packed into overcrowded classrooms, fewer services for special education students, and four-year-olds cheated out of early childhood education.

Instead of more cuts to vital services Americans depend on, like schools, health care, and Social Security, we need a good deal — one that protects what’s important to me, my family, and my community.

By signing this pledge, I am signaling my commitment to hold my members of Congress accountable. It’s time for the wealthiest and corporations to pay their fair share! go to the link to sign the pledge http://educationvotes.nea.org/kidsnotcuts

Parents agree continued

needs, and help teachers improve their practice and provide extra help to the students who need it.”

According to the survey, it is the types of formative assessments Krista Vega, a middle school teacher n Maryland, identifies, such as quizzes, portfolios, homework and end-of-unit tests that provide timely data about individual student growth and achievement. Respondents cited these types of assessments as providing educators with the necessary information to pace the instruction and ensure students learn fundamental skills.

Parents are also worried about the narrowing of the curriculum. Large majorities believe it is important to measure students in math and English/language arts but also say it is important to measure performance in science, history, government and civics, and environmental literacy.

SPRING EDITION MARCH 2013

There are people we cross paths with in this life who – even though the path may be briefer than expected – make an everlasting impression on our lives and our hearts. Jon White was one of those people in my life.

He was a man of great integrity, who was strong in character and who had a wonderful sense of humor.

Jon was not merely a co-worker, but my friend . . . a friendship I will always treasure. You will be missed, Jonnyboy.

Abbie Hoover KCEA Administrative Assistant Jon White was a great advocate for teachers and students. Jon was a great mentor, colleague and friend. I first met Jon in an "Emerging Leaders" training in 1992.

Jon helped many teachers in Knox County Schools. Jon was responsible for KCEA securing the Breakfast in the Classroom grant to help feed more children breakfast.

Jon always said," It is what it is." In other words, some things you cannot change, just do what is the right thing to do. KCEA will continue to do the right thing by advocating for teachers and students. We will miss Jon greatly.

Sherry Morgan, KCEA President

The students who are often hurt the most by a restricted curriculum are those who don’t have the opportunities, because of their socioeconomic background, to diversify their learning outside the classroom.

Beyond subject matter, parents and educators believe so-called “higher order” thinking skills such as creativity, communication, problem-solving, and collaboration – so critical in the modern economy and workplace – aren’t being properly measured by current assessment systems.

“It is really, really important,” Vega says “that we prepare students for when they enter the workforce to compete in the 21st century.”

See the full article on the neatoday.org website

THE ADVOCATE

SPRING EDITION MARCH 2013

Eric Jon White: October 20, 1945 - February 7, 2013 It is with great sadness that we share news of the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Jon White.

Jon served the Tennessee Education Association as the UniServ Coordinator for the Knox County Education Association for the past two years. During this short time, Jon touched the lives of many Association members for whom he advocated. After meeting him, teachers always commented on his kindness and compassion. Jon was genuinely interested in the lives and well-being of each and every one of us. He will be greatly missed by all of us and our hearts are with his family during this sad time.

Eric Jon White, age 67, of Acworth, Georgia, formerly of Madison, West Virginia died Thursday, February 7, 2013.

Jon was born on October 20, 1945 in Madison, WV. He was the only child of Denver Edmund and Oma (Miller) White. He attended South Charleston High School and graduated in 1963 from Scott High School in Madison and Marshall University in 1970. He taught and coached at Wharton Junior High and Van High School. In 1970 began a 43 year career with National Education Association. He served as executive director of Brevard County (Florida) and Fairfax (Virginia), Midwest and Southeast Regional Director for the NEA. He was passionate supporter of Teachers rights. He loved children and especially babies.

Survivors include: His wife of 46 years, Helen (Wilson) White; 4 sons, Eric Jon White II of Dallas, GA, David and his wife Shannon of Woodstock, GA, Jason and his wife Benay of Knoxville, TN, Michael Lee White of Acworth, GA; one daughter, Sarah Elizabeth White of Acworth, GA; grandchildren, Harlow and Hayden White of Knoxville, TN; and a granddaughter, Harper, whom he was looking forward to being born in May. Services were held in Georgia, as well as Danville, West Virginia

So long friend. You will be missed.

THE ADVOCATE

Contact KCEA

is published by the Knox County Education Association.

2411 Magnolia Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917

Please direct questions & comments to:

Trish Russell, Editor russelltrish@yahoo.com

Office: 865.522.9793 Cell: 865.660.0822 Fax: 865.522.9866

Published in The Atlanta JournalConstitution on February 9, 2013] Posted by Handly Funeral Home in Danville And downloaded from KCEAInTouch.org I will sincerely miss the help, the kindness, and the steadfast support that Jon always showed for public education, its children, and its teachers. And his love of loud, ugly shirts.

-Trish Russell Editor

Find us Online: http://KCEAinTouch.org http://Facebook.com/TNKCEA

Our Mission To promote quality education in Knox County, the Knox County Education Association will provide a support system that guarantees the opportunity for professional growth, secures and improves benefits, and protects the rights of educators of Knox County.