teach April 2012

Memphis Educator Honored at White House

page 11

Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION April 2012  Vol. 43, No. 8  www.teateachers.org

Are You Ready?

TEA Representative Assembly: May 11-12, 2012

Safe and Secure:

Convert your dues online page 3

Speaking out with you Gera Summerford, President

Al Mance, Executive Director

“Fixing” Teachers is the Wrong Approach

Teaching Well is What Matters Most

Too many times in listening to teachers and other educators across our state, I’ve heard “morale is at an all-time low.” Now a national annual poll of teachers and parents confirms what we already know. The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher finds that job satisfaction among teachers is at its lowest in 22 years. The number of teachers saying they are likely to leave the profession has increased by 12 percentage points in only the past two years.

Educators in Tennessee and across the nation have been caught in a “perfect storm” in which state governments rolled out numerous reform efforts even while the struggling economy contributed to fewer available resources.

We’re being told to raise standards, be more accountable and increase student achievement while school budgets are being cut and families need more support. No wonder teacher morale is low! Indeed, the survey reveals that 76 percent of teachers have witnessed decreases in school budgets and 63 percent are seeing increased class sizes, both within the past 12 months. More than one-third of teachers say more children are coming to school hungry, which impedes their learning, while at the same time technology and learning materials are not kept up-to-date to meet student needs.

It’s amazing to me that anyone who cares about public education could believe such conditions will contribute “Educators, like most to improved student humans, respond best to achievement.

Teachers know what support, partnerships and will make schools better, positive reinforcement.” and the MetLife survey confirms it. Educators, like most humans, respond best to support, partnerships and positive reinforcement. We do our best work when we are respected and treated as professionals in the community, provided with appropriate training and time to collaborate, and given opportunities to influence education policy. Just like our students, we’re not likely to perform well when our environment is insecure and punitive. Even Wendy Kopp, founder of Teach for America, recognizes that teachers must feel safe and respected if we are to provide the positive energy and environment in which children thrive.

Policymakers who seem to think “fixing” teachers will raise student performance have taken the wrong approach. Making people feel powerless and inferior doesn’t motivate them to be more productive and creative. Teachers and students alike will learn and grow when offered opportunities to build trusting relationships and strong collaborative teams, and when parents are engaged in the school community.

It’s clear we’re not being given what we need. Rushing to reform in a starved budget season has certainly created a poor climate for school improvement. Individually and collectively, we must act on what we know will truly make a difference. TEA teachers will stand together for what is right and best for Tennessee’s children and public schools.

Stay connected. Stay committed.

We have been so hemmed in by poor measurement of complex performance, lock step “innovative programs” and Common Core Standards that we are in danger of losing sight of the purposes of public education. If we do, we also lose our freedom and limit the future of our descendants. I am a firm believer in Henry Steele Commager’s abiding purposes of public schools: 1) to provide an enlightened citizenry, 2) to create national unity, 3) to Americanize immigrants and 4) to overcome the divisive forces in society and advance understanding and equality.

His first purpose requires that every public school be dedicated to high academic achievement and high expectations for all students. We must persuade every family that sends its sons and daughters to public schools that they will come into a caring environment in which teachers do everything within their power to help them develop their gifts to the highest possible level. Further, this will be accomplished in an environment where they also learn to respect the varied gifts of their peers and their parents.

It is in this environment—with professional teachers who treat all students equally yet differently according to their perceptions and needs—in which our national unity grows and is sustained. In this environment, American boys and girls learn so much about their peers that forces which divide people in other countries are destroyed by understanding.

This high quality public education is possible only if teachers believe in its purposes so strongly that they will fight for their right to teach as their training and experience dictates. It only works if those who teach also fight for appropriate policies (including evaluation), ongoing professional development, organizational structures, materials, supplies and decision-making authority.

Without such commitment to principles and willingness to fight for them, teaching is just another job and students are considered successful if they fill in the appropriate blanks on a standardized test answer sheet.

Students will and should be required to take tests. Sometimes they may be required to take standardized “objective” tests. The quality, intent and use of the resulting data is the key to their usefulness. If the quality, intent and use are appropriate, few will fear taking them.

Ultimately, our deepest concern must be for the student who emerges from our schools. We seek to provide the country with Archibald MacLeish’s “inquiring, individual human mind.” He believed America’s strength—our ability to face and master an ever-changing future—is found there.

I participated in a workshop presented by Jill Pope, a teacher at Maryville High School, recently. She shared her approaches to teaching the Common Core Standards while inciting students to higher order thinking and thinking for themselves. By the time the session ended, my deep appreciation for the quality of public schools and public school teachers was renewed.

In two months, we will be one year from the date when the 107th General Assembly passed legislation to diminish teachers’ voices and influence on the education of Tennessee’s youths. In November, you will have an opportunity to help us to correct their errors. 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 CandraClariette (615)506-3493 * Executive Committee

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; MANAGER OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Stephanie Faulkner; INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS MANAGER, Galen Riggs; MANAGER OF UNISERV & BARGAINING COORDINATOR: 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 EDITOR & COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Alexei Smirnov; MANAGER OF RESEARCH & INFORMATION: Melissa Brown; RESEARCH & INFORMATION ASSISTANT: Susan Ogg; MANAGER FOR INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Terrance Gibson; INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS: Susan Dalton, Nicki Fields; COORDINATOR OF MEMBERSHIP & AFFILIATE RELATIONS:DuranWilliams.

UniServ Staff contact information can be found on page 12.

2

April 2012

Protect Your Membership, Convert to Automatic Dues Pay

L

egislators took away your right to bargain in 2011. What will they try to take next? Your retirement? Your salary schedule? You can help stop these injustices by protecting your TEA membership.

The legislature is attempting to limit and control Tennessee educators’ free speech rights if they use payroll deductions for TEA dues. There is a way to protect the rights and benefits of your membership in TEA - sign up for TEA Automatic Dues Pay. Automatic Dues Pay will automatically deduct your dues from your checking account two times per month over the membership year. The conversion to Automatic Dues Pay takes just minutes to complete and is safe and secure. This simple and easy process allows you to be a continuing member of TEA without interference, pressure or bullying from the legislature, local school board or the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA).

Do not let the anti-public school bullies silence your voice or take away your rights. Go to www.teateachers.org to convert your TEA membership today to Automatic Dues Pay. After you complete the conversion process, please contact your local education association and let them know that you converted your dues to Automatic Dues Pay. If you have any questions about this conversion process, please contact Duran Williams at TEA at (800) 342-8367, ext. 213.

Safe and secure — Avoid paperwork and protect your voice as an educator by converting to TEA Automatic Dues Pay. All you need is your member ID number. If you don’t have it, call TEA Membership Coordinator Duran Williams at (800) 342-8367, ext. 213.

Don’t let them silence you!

The Legislature is attempting to limit and control Tennessee educators’ exercise to free speech rights if they use payroll deductions for TEA dues.

There is a way to protect your rights and benefits through your membership in the Tennessee Education Association!

Sign up for

Safe. Secure. Easy to do!

All it takes is a voided check.

TEA Automatic Dues Pay! For more information call TEA at 800.342.8367 ext. 213 or visit www.teateachers.org 3 www.teateachers.org

TEA Representa

Nashville Convention

TEA Vice President Barbara Gray (far left), TEA Executive Director Al Mance (middle) and TEA President Gera Summerford (far right) lead the meeeting at the Nashville Convention Center during the 2011 TEA Representative Assembly.

PROPOSED AGENDA Friday, May 11, 4:15-4:45 p.m. - Delegates from the following districts will

convene to nominate candidates for the TEA Board of Directors: Second (threeyear term), Fourth (one-year unexpired term), Fifth (three-year term), Sixth (three-year term), Seventh (one-year unexpired term), Ninth (three-year term), Eleventh (three-year term), Twelfth (three-year term) and Fifteenth (three-year term). For the TEA-Fund for Children and Public Education (FCPE) Executive Council, the following districts will convene: Second (three-year term), Fifth (threeyear term), Ninth (three-year term) and Twelfth (three-year term.)

Friday, May 11, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. – First General Session

1.

Invocation 2.

Pledge of Allegiance 3.

National Anthem 4.

Seating of Delegates 5.

Approval of Minutes 6.

Approval of Agenda

a. Adoption of Standing Rules 7.

Appointment of Committees

Credentials Committee

Resolutions Committee

Elections Committee 8.

President’s Address 9.

Distinguished Educator Awards 10.

Human Relations Awards 11.

Susan B. Anthony Award 12.

Cavit C. Cheshier Awards 13.

School Bell Awards 14.

Friend of Education Awards 15.

Presidential Merit Award 16.

Membership Awards 17.

Nominations

a. Board of Directors

(1) TEA President for a two-year term

(2) TEA Vice-President for a two-year term

(3) NEA Director for a three-year term

(4) Middle Tennessee Administrator for a three-year

term

(5) Middle Tennessee Black Classroom Teacher for a 4 April 2012

three-year term

(6) Higher Education Classroom Teacher for a three-year

term

(7) State Special Schools Classroom Teacher for a two-year

unexpired term

(8) Classroom Teacher Board members from Districts 2, 5, 6,

9, 11, 12 and 15 for three-year terms

(9) Classroom Teacher Board members from Districts 4 and 7

for one-year unexpired terms.

b.

Middle Tennessee member on the Board of Trustees of

the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System for a

three-year term

c.

Middle Tennessee member on the Local Education

Insurance Committee for a three-year term

d.

Districts 2, 5, 9 and 12 TEA-FCPE Council members for

three-year terms 18.

Proposed Amendments to the TEA Constitution and Bylaws and TEA-FCPE

Bylaws 19.

Memorial Recognition 20.

Update on the 2011-2012 Legislative Program 21.

Adoption of 2013-2014 Legislative Program 22.

Report of the Committee on Campaign Policies and Candidate Expenses 23.

Financial Report 24.

Adoption of the 2012-2013 Budget 25.

Reading of New Business Items*

Saturday, May 12, 7:30 – 9:15 a.m. – Election Polls Open Saturday, May 12, 9:00 a.m. – Second General Session 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Continuation of any unfinished business from the Friday night agenda STEA Project Report – Caryce Gilmore Report of the Executive Director Action on Proposed Resolutions Action on New Business Items Report of the Credentials Committee Report of the Elections Committee (to be given when vote count is completed) Introduction of Elected Officials Adjournment

*Standing Rules require that this agenda item be completed prior to the adjournment of the first general session.

ative Assembly

n Center, May 11-12, 2012 Fourteen Candidates Announce Nominations for TEA Positions

Biographical information and campaign statements that follow were submitted by the candidates and/or their campaign coordinators. Elections will be held at the TEA Representative Assembly in Nashville on May 12.

TEA President Gera Summerford, Sevier County EA Gera Summerford was first elected to the TEA Board of Directors in 2003.

She has spent most of her teaching career in Sevier County while serving for many years as a local association leader and chief negotiator.

She earned a bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and a master’s in mathematics from the University of Tennessee. After a full career in the classroom as a high school math teacher, Gera was elected TEA Vice President in 2006 and President in 2010. She is married to Dale Gilmore, a teacher and active association leader, and they are the proud parents of two young adults. “In spite of continued attacks on our profession, educators strive every day to give our best for students and public schools. We know that those who would thwart our efforts have little understanding or appreciation of the important work we do. We recognize that forces far beyond our classrooms are working to control the future of public education in our state and nation. In these challenging times we must stand strong and stand united as the true advocates for great public schools for every student.”

ation representative, chair of Constitution & Bylaws Committee, liaison to Transition Planning Committee & Shelby Board of Education, Educators Benefit, SC-PACE, Minority Affairs RAA, Membership, Budget and various committees. State experiences include: vice president, West TN Administrator, chair of Budget, NEA Concerns, State Board Contact Committees and serving on Executive Committee, Administrator Task Force, Minority Affairs, Credential, ION and other state committees. She has attended numerous other leadership conferences and workshops at the state level. She has been a delegate numerous times to both TEA & NEA RAs. Barbara has lobbied legislators at both the state and national levels and feels that we should be united in these difficult times. Gray is willing to stand and make a difference for all our members and students.

NEA Board of Directors Stephen Henry, Metro-Nashville EA Stephen Henry, a candidate for re-election to the NEA Board of Directors, is a third generation teacher and a proud graduate of public schools. Throughout his 26year career as a classroom teacher and association activist, Stephen

has earned the reputation as a trusted leader, an articulate advocate and a tireless worker. He is a recognized leader in public education and human and civil rights and service. As a marathon runner and cancer survivor, he is also known for his boundless energy and determination. Stephen was born in Memphis, raised in rural West Tennessee, and has called Nashville home since graduating with honors from David Lipscomb University . This experience has provided a keen understanding of the varying and vast educational needs of schools across the state. He brings extensive experience as a local, state and national leader and has built strong working relationships with the elected leaders and professional staffs of TEA/NEA, as well as members of the Tennessee General Assembly. As a member of the NEA Board of Directors, the NEA-FCPE and a national trainer for NEA-HCR Division; as a member of the TEA Board of Directors, the TEA-FCPE Council, and Chair of the ION and Human Relations Committee; as MNEA President, Vice-President, Chief Negotiator, and member of the PACE Council; he is uniquely positioned to continue to champion NEA’s mission of ensuring great public schools for every child. Stephen’s leadership, vision, and experience will well represent the membership of TEA and the learners we serve.

TEA Vice President Barbara Gray, Shelby County EA

An assistant principal in Shelby County, Gray is seeking re-election as TEA Vice-President. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from LeMoyne-Owen College, MED in Curriculum & Instruction and 45 hours of post-graduate studies in Supervision & Administration from the University of Memphis. She has developed leadership skills and understanding of the needs of our members by serving in a variety of leadership positions at both the state and local level. Local Association experiences include: Shelby County EA president, vice president, board of director, associ-

Delegates deliberate on action items during 2011 TEA RA.

5 www.teateachers.org

TEA RA

TEA Election Polls Open Satu

Information for Delegates: Electing Governance Leaders

Administrator — Middle Julie Hopkins, Metro-Nashville EA

For all that I am, my deepest inspiration comes from the people that surround me with their encouragement and support. As the principal of Buena Vista Elementary Enhanced Option in Nashville, I inspire the youth of today with my personal testimony. I constantly encourage students to never give up when they are faced with difficult situations. I share my stories about being an honor student, a school leader and a teenage parent to let students know they can do anything they want to do with determination, commitment and hard work.The parents are my inspiration. They bring us their very best with a belief that we, as educators, are competent in our ability to give each child the foundation for becoming productive citizens.

I inspire parents with my sincere belief that they can make a difference in the lives of each child.

Every parent has a purpose and responsibility to help ensure success for all students. I would like to think that my fellow educators are inspired by my positive attitude; knowing that we have a tremendous task ahead of us. Further, I am inspired by the dedication of the educators at Buena Vista and those across the state. I know that with the right attitude, we can positively impact learning for all of our students.

It would be a tremendous honor to represent you on the TEA Board of Directors as the Administrator from Middle Tennessee and join in the Association’s work of positively impacting student success across Tennessee.

Administrator — Middle Keith Cornelius, Coffee County EA

I started my teaching career in 1989 in Duval County Public Schools of Jacksonville, Fla. I then came in 1999 to Rutherford County Schools and have always been an avid and staunch supporter of the TEA. I became very involved in my local association from the onset. I served as a building association representative for approximately four years before being nominated to be on the negotiating team. I served five years on the negotiating team with four of those in the role of Chief Negotiator for REA and negotiated one of the strongest contracts in the state at that time. I was 6 April 2012

then elected to the Executive Board of the REA as president-elect and subsequently served two years as President of the Rutherford Education Association. One of my proudest achievements as president was the continued growth in membership. REA never had a membership loss during all my years of involvement and that was due to the hard work of the dynamic team in place. I finished my presidency with 1576 members, the fifth largest in the state at that time.

I have always been a strong supporter of teacher rights. I have weathered the storm of anti-teacher sentiments with all of you. I believe in the rights of educators and will always defend public education. I was there with thousands of friends in March 2011 standing for five hours or more in the cold rain fighting for what I still believe in. I am most fortunate now to be an assistant principal and instructional coordinator In my home county, Coffee County. I feel that I have brought some progressive ideas to the table there and any of the teachers at my school would gladly tell you right now that I support them and the right to the best public education we can provide. I appreciate your support as Middle Tennessee Administrator for the TEA Board of Directors.

Black Classroom Teacher — Middle Kenneth Martin, Metro-Nashville EA

Kenneth Fludd Martin currently serves the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association (MNEA) as parliamentarian and chair of the MNEA Committee on Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. Kenny is the son of two Nashville educators and the nephew of MNEA past President Ted Martin, the first African-American president of his local. He believes wholeheartedly in the inclusive vision of his uncle to provide a collaborative workplace for educators in Nashville. Martin, an exceptional education teacher and middle school basketball coach at Martin Luther King Magnet School, formerly served as MNEA Treasurer and has served his local as association representative, Negotiations Team member, Minority Affairs chair, Budget Committee chair, Special Education Committee chair, delegate to numerous Tennessee Education Association (TEA) Representative Assemblies, and state and local delegate to several National Education Association (NEA) Annual Meetings. After working as a substitute teacher, Kenny taught at Bass Middle

School, Head Magnet, and McGavock High School.

Martin has attended the TEA Spring Symposium, NEA’s Minority Leadership Training, National Council of Urban Education Associations Meetings, the Johnella H. Martin Minority Affairs Conference, the TEA Bargaining Conference, TEA Summer Leadership Academy, TEA Political Academy, and the Tennessee Urban Education Associations Council Meetings.

Kenny distinguished himself as a member organizer during the National Education Association’s Target-of-Opportunities Campaign in Nashville in the spring of 2007. He loves the work he does for his local and his school and plans on making a real difference at the state level as well. A vote for Kenneth Fludd Martin for TEA Black Classroom Teacher from Middle Tennessee is a vote for leadership!

Higher Education Clinton Smith, UT-Martin

Dr. Clinton Smith currently serves as Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He will be serving as co-advisor for the Student Teacher Education Association at Martin this fall. He spent six years as an adjunct instructor at the University of Memphis. He has 13 years of experience as a special education teacher in Shelby County Schools and in Arkansas. If elected as the Tennessee Education Association’s Higher Education Classroom Teacher, Clinton will focus on issues that affect those in higher education that include academic freedom, salaries, retirement benefits, budget cuts, and increasing tuition rates.

In his 13 years of membership, he has served as newsletter editor, member of the Newsletter, New Teacher and Membership Committees, Association Representative and Alternate, and a delegate for the NEA and TEA Representative Assemblies. He has attended TEA Summer Leadership and NEA Southeast Leadership Conferences. Clinton currently serves as secretary of the Shelby County Education Association and as the Technology Chair of the NEA Caucus for Educators of Exceptional Children.

Clinton earned his Doctorate in Special Education and Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of Memphis. The University of Memphis recently honored him as an Outstanding Alumni in the Special Education department. Kappa Delta Pi, the International Honor Society in Education, honored him as a National Teacher of Honor. He was recently honored as Shelby County Education Association’s

urday, May 12, 7:30 - 9:15 a.m.

Nashville Convention Center, May 11-12, 2012 Special Educator of the Year. Clinton also serves in several local, state and national leadership roles for Special Olympics Greater Memphis, Kappa Delta Pi and Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children.

Higher Education Derek Frisby, MTSU

Dr. Frisby is a Middle Tennessee native whose parents were career educators and TEA members, and his wife, Debbie, teaches in Rutherford County. He has a BA in International Relations and History from MTSU, and MAs in History and Higher Education Administration, as well as a PhD in History from the University of Alabama. Derek is currently an Associate Professor in History at MTSU teaching Tennessee and military history courses.

Over the last four years, Dr. Frisby has led students abroad to explore issues concerning warfare and public memory by visiting infamous WWI and WWII battlefields from Iwo Jima, Guam, and Peleliu in the Pacific to Normandy, Waterloo, and Verdun in Western Europe. Derek is a USMC veteran of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, and frequently works with the military to provide “staff rides” of battlefields as part of their professional military education program.

As the TEA Board of Directors representative on higher education, Dr. Frisby hopes to ensure the quality of teacher education, to integrate more effectively the liberal arts and STEM curriculums, to maintain access to and diversity in higher education, to expand experiential learning opportunities, and to improve the effectiveness of the core curriculum. He strongly believes it is time to address our state’s increasing dependency on contingent faculty in higher education without providing this group codified evaluation/promotion procedures, involvement in faculty governance, or due process protections. For more information and a complete c.v., you may visit his website at: www. mtsu.edu/~dfrisby.

TEA Board of Directors — District 4 Tanya T. Coats, Knox County EA Instructional Coach; Green Magnet Math & Science Academy; KCEA Executive Board Member, TEA Board of Director District 4; committee member of KCEA’s Minority Affairs, Public Relations, Elections, Human

Relations, Green Magnet’s SWS Leadership Team, Knox County Coaches’ Network; I serve currently as treasurer of several organizations that include my church, Clinton Chapel AME Zion Church. “Upon verifying my credentials in numerous leadership roles which have included a parliamentarian, financial officer, logistics coordinator and an on-going list of other offices, the evidence will prove that I am well-prepared to be a steward of KCEA’s financial liabilities. Therefore, I would appreciate your vote of confidence to ELECT me as District 4 Representative on the TEA Board of Directors.”

TEA Board of Directors — District 5 Michael Plumley, Bradley Co. EA

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. “I currently represent NEA on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Unit Accrediting Board in Washington, D. C. My extensive experience in the Association makes me qualified to represent District 5 on the TEA Board. You will find me to be a strong, conscientious voice who will work hard for the education professionals in my district and across the state. I would appreciate your support and vote for Michael Plumley, TEA District 5 board seat! Thank you very much!”

TEA Board of Directors — District 6 Scott Price, Coffee County EA Math teacher Coffee County Central High School since 1996. Current President of the Coffee County Education Association. Served as local delegate to TEA/NEA RAseveral years. Served as CCEA President several times. Recently appointed Chairman PECCA Special Question Committee for Coffee County Schools. Bachelor of Science Secondary Education Mathematics 1993. Master of Education Middle Tennessee State University 2007.

Previously taught two years in Hamilton County Schools 1993-1995.

TEA Board of Directors — District 9 Theresa Wagner, Metro-Nashville EA

Elected under an optional election procedure authorized by Bylaw 10, Section 8.

District 9 TEA-FCPE Nancy Holland, Metro-Nashville EA

Elected under an optional election procedure authorized by Bylaw 10, Section 8.

Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System Board — Middle Erick Huth, Metro-Nashville EA

Erick Huth is the current vice president of the Metropolitan Nashville Education Association (MNEA), a position which he also held in the 1990s. He has distinguished himself as the outspoken chief bargaining spokesperson and president of his local. Erick has served as an active member of several boards of trust, protecting the interests of plan participants. He is an expert on the benefit provisions of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) and is extremely familiar with the inner workings of the institution itself. He is the most senior teacher member on the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System Board of Trustees and serves as an executive committee member of the Board. Additionally, Erick is the vice chair of the Metropolitan Nashville Administrative Retirement Committee and the Metropolitan Nashville Professional Employees Insurance Trust. He has gained specialized training as a trustee through numerous workshops and seminars provided by the National Education Association (NEA). Erick is dedicated to the work and finds it very rewarding. Erick, who is in his second term on the Tennessee Education Association Board of Directors, has served as president of the Tennessee Urban Education Associations Council, central regional director for the National Council of Urban Education Associations, and a member of the NEA Project Graduation Working Group and numerous TEA committees. Erick participated in Leadership Nashville (1999) and the Donelson-Hermitage Leadership (2001). Dr. Huth was also listed among the most influential Nashville leaders in Nashville Post’s 2010 and 2011 “In Charge” rankings. His dissertation is entitled Teacher Attitudes toward Alternative Forms of Compensation beyond the Traditional Single Salary Schedule.

7 www.teateachers.org

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To learn more or enroll visit neamb.com/retire1 and select DirectInvest

You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the mutual funds available under the NEA Valuebuilder Program before investing. You may obtain a prospectus that contains this and other information about the mutual funds by calling our National Service Center at 1-800-NEA-VALU (632-8258). You should read the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing in mutual funds involves risk and there is no guarantee of investment results.

The NEA Valuebuilder Program provides investment products (the “NEA Valuebuilder products”) in connection with retirement plans sponsored by school districts and other employers of NEA members and individual retirement accounts established by NEA members. Security Distributors, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively “Security Benefit”) make the NEA Valuebuilder products available under this program pursuant to an agreement with NEA’s wholly owned subsidiary, NEA’s Member Benefits Corporation (“MBC”). Security Benefit has the exclusive right to offer the NEA Valuebuilder products under the program, and MBC generally may not enter into arrangements with other providers of similar investment programs or otherwise promote to NEA members or their employers any investment products that compete with the NEA Valuebuilder products. MBC promotes the program to NEA members and their employers and provides certain services in connection with the program. Security Benefit pays an annual fee to MBC based in part on the average assets invested in the NEA Valuebuilder products under the agreement. You may wish to take into account this agreement and arrangement, including any fees paid, when considering and evaluating any communications relating to the NEA Valuebuilder products. NEA and MBC are not affiliated with Security Benefit. Neither NEA nor MBC is a registered broker-dealer. All securities brokerage services are performed exclusively by your sales representative’s broker-dealer and not by NEA or MBC. The NEA Valuebuilder DirectInvest 403(b)(7) is a Custodial Account under §403(b)(7) of the Internal Revenue Code.

VB470412 Securities are distributed by Security Distributors, Inc. (SDI). SDI is a subsidiary of Security Benefit Corporation (“Security Benefit”).

8 April 2012

TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Item No. Category/Explanation

Proposed Budget for 2012-2013

Grand Totals (a)

Membership Income based on dues of $258.00 ($253.52 for TEA budget + $4.48 as pass-through TEA-FCPE) Active Members - 34,600 x $253.52 Education Support - 1,850 x $126.76 Student Members - 4,100 x $10.00 Subtotal

(b)

This is based on 22 units x $34,850 =

(c)

In addition, $159,152 pass-through funds will go to TEA-FCPE based on the above membership projections

ACTUAL 2010-2011 $11,403,864 $10,908 $76,039 $432,668 $1,034,124 $14,000 $84,960

BUDGET 2011-2012 $11,054,168 $10,910 $10,000

PROPOSED 2012-2013 $9,047,298 (a) $10,908 $5,000

$1,032,024 $24,000 $65,000

$766,700 (b) $$65,000

$13,056,563

$12,196,102

$9,894,906 (c)

$8,771,792 $234,506 $41,000 $9,047,298 $766,700

PROPOSED EXPENDITURES FOR 2012-2013 Item No. Category/Explanation 1. Salaries and Benefits for President and Staff Includes retirement, social security, insurance, workers compensation, federal and state unemployment taxes for professional staff, associate staff and president.

2. Travel, President and Board Travel for the president and the Board including board meetings and NEA Convention under the same policies as apply to state delegates, except TEA Committee expenses which are charged to the respective committee.

This includes a $10,000 expense allowance for the TEA president and vice president paid monthly. The item provides $20,000 for travel, lodging, meals, substitute or leave pay, and any other expenses of the vice president and/or Board members incurred while carrying out extraordinary assignments requested or approved in advance by the president. Not included in this $20,000 are ordinary expenses for the vice president and/or appropriate Board members related to the TEA Board meeting, Committee Weekend, Executive and Budget Committee meetings, NEA Convention, TEA-FCPE Council and statewide endorsement sessions, and expenses reimbursed by sources other than TEA. Item No. Category/Explanation 3. Housing Allowance for President If the home of the 2012-2013 president is more than 50 miles from Nashville, it is necessary for the president to live in Nashville. This item is to cover rent and utilities. If the president lives within 50 miles, this item will not be expended, but the president may commute daily at TEA expense.

4. Departments and Sections Funds for activities of affiliated departments and sections according to a funding formula based upon attendance at their annual meeting. Sections are organized by education specialty (English, science) and job assignments (elementary principal, attendance teacher). Departments encompass broad areas (higher education, retired teachers).

5. Committees and Commissions A. Adm. Task Force (1)* B. Communications (1) C. ESP (1) D. Human Relations (2) E. Internal Organizational Needs (1) F. IPD Commission G. Membership (1) H. Member Benefits (1) I. Minority Affairs (2) J. NEA Concerns (2) K. Negotiations (1) L. Resolutions (1) M. State Special Schools (1) N. Status of Women (2) O. Vocational (1) P. New Teacher (1) Q. Miscellaneous R. Presidents' Council

Budgeted 2011-2012

Proposed 2012-2013

$8,800,554

$6,794,264

$133,500

$17,000 $17,000

$17,000 $17,000

Minority Leadership Training A. In-State Workshops B. NEA Southeast Meeting

$13,000 $10,000 $3,000

$13,000 $10,000 $3,000

Professional Negotiations A. Negotiations Conference B. Local Level Training

$25,000 $19,000 $6,000

$25,000 $19,000 $6,000

$130,000

$130,000

$38,000

$38,000

8. UniServ Grant from TEA to MEA Memphis employs local UniServ staff in lieu of participating in the state program. They receive NEA and TEA UniServ funding. TEA funding is projected on Memphis qualifying for four units at $35,250 per unit.

$186,290

$141,000

9. Legal Services This amount is to pay the legal firm retainer, lawyer fees, court costs, and other legal services in accordance with the reimbursement agreement of the NEA DuShane Fund to cover approved legal expenses of UEP members. Costs of subscriptions to legal publications and reporting services are also included in this amount.

$515,000

$515,000

$77,885

$47,885

Subtotals 7. TEA Summer Leadership Academy Five hundred participants including group meals, Cool Springs Embassy Suites lodging (or comparable payment toward hotel lodging) and speakers.

$38,085 $600 $1,500 $1,200 $1,000 $ — $1,000 $1,500 $3,000 $47,885

Page 3 Page 1 Budgeted 2011-2012

Proposed 2012-2013

$10,000

$10,000

$4,000

$130,000

$130,000

Membership A. Association Rep. Membership Training within UniServ District B. Membership Materials C. New Teacher Conference D. ESP Conference

$55,000

$55,000

$35,000 $12,000 $6,000 $2,000

$35,000 $12,000 $6,000 $2,000

Leadership A. Staff Training B. UniServ Advisory Council (Meals and Meeting Rooms for Oct. & May Meetings) C. Women's Leadership Development Workshops (in state) D. Administrators' Conference

$20,000 $3,000 $12,500

$20,000 $3,000 $12,500

$2,000 $2,500

$2,000 $2,500

Item No. Category/Explanation

Budgeted 2011-2012

Proposed 2012-2013

$130,000

$110,000

$129,913

$110,535

$35,000

$35,000

$11,360

$13,000

$8,000

$2,000

$5,000

$1,000

$25,000

$20,000

$20,000

$10,000

$234,273

$191,535

13. TEA Representative Assembly Auditorium rental, credentials, services of parliamentarian, required liability insurance, audio visual equipment, awards luncheon and awards dinner.

$72,000

$67,000

14. NEA Convention Meals, lodging, travel for non-board state delegates according to established policies, $1,500 to purchase gifts for state contact persons and $1,500 for Tennessee delegation activities. NEA Convention expenses for Board members are included in Item 2 and student delegate expenses in Item 16.

$65,000

$63,000

$6,000

$6,000

$28,000

$28,000

11. teach teach is sent to active, retired, students, and educational support members. This item includes cost of paper, printing, art work, non-profit second-class mailing, for seven issues. The cost of mailing to retired teachers is included in Item 15.

12. Government Relations A. Public Information Program – Funds for the Communications Division to conduct a media campaign promoting education.

B. Polling (Issues, Candidate) – Polling to determine positions of the members and the public on candidates and political issues.

C. Member Lobby Activities – Travel expenses for members to lobby in the state legislature, participation in the annual Black legislative caucus retreat, plus training and lobby activities at the local level.

D. Legislative Functions – Legislative leadership meetings, committee functions, regional and national legislative meetings, and legislative receptions. Meals and/or refreshments may be included with these activities.

E. Campaign Promotional Activities – Outside consultants to assist with campaign strategy, public relations programs, media, and design of materials.

F. Communications/Program Support – Workshops, special subscriptions, lobbyist registration, phone banks, building data banks, purchasing voter tapes, printing and mailing a weekly legislative report, plus other printing, postage, supplies, and materials.

G. Miscellaneous and Committees

$4,000

$33,590 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,000 $2,350 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,810 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,000 $1,000 $5,000 $8,000 $33,590

6. Workshops and Conferences

Instruction and Professional Development A. IPD Workshops/Symposium

10. Public Relations A. Image Campaign: (radio and TV spots, billboards, bumper stickers, newspaper ads, branding program) B. Local Newsletter Contest C. News Clipping Service D. Photography (processing, equipment, repair) E. School Bell Awards Program F. Special PR Programs G. Cavit C. Cheshier Local Association Award H. Video Supplies and Production I. Miscellaneous Totals

$133,500

$33,590 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,000 $2,350 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,810 $1,000 $1,000 $1,000 $1,810 $1,000 $1,000 $5,000 $8,000 $33,590

*Number of Meetings (a)This budget is predicated on all Nashville meetings being held in the TEA building and lodging in the Spring Hill Suites or comparably priced hotel.

Proposed 2012-2013

Workshops and Conferences (Continued)

ANTICIPATED INCOME FOR 2012-2013

I. Membership Income II. Rent III. Interest Gain/(Loss) on Investments IV. UniServ Grants from NEA to TEA V. UniServ from MNEA to TEA VI. Miscellaneous

Budgeted 2011-2012

Government Relations Totals (TEA-FCPE Funds are not included in the TEA budget as pass-through funds.)

15. Subscriptions for Retired Teachers Postage for mailing teach to retired members.

Page 2

16. Student Programs 1. Student TEA Funding for leadership training, allowable expenses to TEA and NEA representative assemblies, STEA annual convention, travel for state officers, and special projects.

9 Page 4 www.teateachers.org

Item No. Category/Explanation

Budgeted 2011-2012

Proposed 2012-2013

$8,500

$8,500

17. Audit and Tax Reporting TEA retains the services of a local accounting firm for this purpose.

$23,000

$23,000

18. Liability Insurance Association liability insurance for local and state officers.

(NEA provides the $1 million liability insurance on individual UEP members.) and liability insurance for few ESP members who are not NEA members.

$20,000

$9,522

19. Travel, Staff Work-related expenses for in and out-of-state travel including NEA Convention and TEA funded workshops, conferences.

Expenses include food, lodging, air travel, car rental, and fleet automobile expenses. This anticipates three staff meetings, including MEA staff.

$340,000

Student Programs (Continued) 2. Future Teachers of America Funding for three regional college career days and annual convention, a summer briefing for FTA sponsors, and special projects.

$76,000

21. Publications and Association Dues IPD materials, library books, dues payments to the National Council of State Education Associations and other organizations.

$17,000

$17,000

22. Telephone Telephone service for the TEA headquarters and UniServ staff. Incoming WATS lines are provided on which a charge is assessed for each incoming call. (One WATS line is used for the UniServ based computer program.)

$90,000

$80,000

$60,400

$35,400

$90,000

$85,000

$100,000

$95,000

$45,000

$35,000

$13,400 $22,000 $35,400

24. Postage Postage for all mailings, including UPS, except teach 25. Printing Paper and printing supplies for TEA typesetting and printing.

(Costs for printing teach are included in Item 11) 26. Insurance: Travel and Automobiles Travel accident insurance for Board members, professional staff, commission and committee members while on official TEA business, and fleet insurance on cars operated by the staff and the president.

Budgeted 2011-2012

Proposed 2012-2013

27. Auto/Home Theft Program Window/door decals. (Any unspent funds will go into the reserve fund to offset future costs.)

$ —

$ —

28. Membership Assistance Program Membership assistance program provided to TEA members.

$40,000

$40,000

29. Special Membership Recruitment Program Specialized membership recruitment assistance for locals.

$50,000

$50,000

30. Miscellaneous Moving expenses for the TEA President, TEA staff who are required to move, and unanticipated expenses.

$20,000

$20,000

31. Utilities Electricity, water, and sewer

$95,000

$95,000

$148,500

$107,100

$45,000

$45,000

$115,000

$115,000

$37,000

$37,000

$5,000

$3,000

$130,000

$100,000

$131,010

$131,010

$45,600

$34,600

$ —

$ —

32. Building and Equipment Maintenance Contracts Maintenance and service contracts on equipment, building and grounds.

33. Building Repairs, Maintenance, and Supplies Repair and maintenance of building, grounds, furniture, and equipment not covered by maintenance contracts and janitorial supplies.

34. Taxes (Property) Taxes on the TEA building, land, and personal property.

35. Insurance TEA building and contents and an umbrella excess provision for covering personal injury, property, and advertising liability, additional coverage for printing equipment, computers.

36. Office Furniture and Equipment Replacement of furniture and small office machines and the purchase of additional items as needed.

37. Automobiles TEA provides automobiles for staff in accordance with TEA policy. (Automobiles are usually traded after 75,000 or more miles)

10

40. Arbitration Fund Assistance to local education associations with arbitration.

(At the end of the year unspent funds will go into a Aprildesignated 2012 reserve fund not to exceed $50,000.)

Grand Total

Proposed 2012-2013

$155,206 $6,180 $5,000 $3,000 $2,500

$120,000 $6,180 $5,000 $3,000 $2,500

$5,500

$5,500

$13,000 $4,215 $194,601

$13,000 $3,972 $159,152

Itemized lists are not intended to be all inclusive.

Page 7

! e t a D e h T e v Sa ip Academy

Page 5

Item No. Category/Explanation

39. Crisis Reserve An amount set aside for unanticipated crises. (At the end of the year unspent funds will go into the Association reserves.)

Budgeted 2011-2012

Any funds unspent at the end of the budget year will be carried forward for future TEA-FCPE related activities. $76,000

38. Fixed Asset Replacement A. Computers B. Miscellaneous C. Building Depr. Res. Total

41. TEA-FCPE Based on membership projections, $159,152 pass-through funds will be deposited in an account separate from TEA funds. These funds will be used as follows: (a) Contributions and/or other assistance to endorsed candidates (b) Increased membership involvement in political activities (c) Statewide endorsement meetings (d) TEA-FCPE Executive Council Meetings (e) TEA-FCPE Legislative Endorsement Meetings (f) Political Academy (an intensive training program for political action) (g) Administrative Costs (correspondence, phones, financial audits, supplies) (h) Miscellaneous Expenses Total

$340,000

20. Computer Operations Computer supplies, leased UniServ equipment and software licensing fees (Maintenance and repairs of the computer system are included in Item 32).

23. Office Supplies a. Membership cards, forms b. Other office supplies Total

Item No. Category/Explanation

$10,000 $50,000 $71,010 $131,010

$12,196,102

$9,894,906

ersh Summer Lead

9 – 6 E N U J Cool Sprin s e it u S y s s Emba

S L A

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2 0 1 2

Help Us Grow a Tennessee Teacher The Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Scholarship Fund awards up to eight scholarships annually. Seven scholarships are awarded to high school, undergraduate or graduate students preparing to become teachers at a Tennessee college or university. One graduate scholarship is awarded to a teacher pursuing an advanced degree who plans to return to teaching in Tennessee for at least one more year.

The Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Scholarship Fund is sustained by tax-deductible contributions from individuals and organizations, TEA members and friends, and by the interest earned on those contributions. Contributions to the scholarship fund should be made by check payable to the Sahli-Woodall Scholarship Fund and mailed to TEA. We’ll accept contributions to the fund at the TEA Representative Assembly, May 11-12, 2012. For more information and to download applications, visit www.teateachers.org and click on Scholarships and Awards on the home page.

Page 6

“Highlight of My Life” Veteran Memphis Teacher Honored at White House

W

hen Velma Lois Jones began promoting voter registration and voter education in Memphis in the 1950s, she did not envision that the fruits of her work would lead her to the White House.

In mid-February, Jones was one of the six recipients of the “Drum Majors for Service Award” from the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Recipients of the award were invited for a visit with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.

As Jones waited for the other honorees to arrive, she nearly missed the First Lady and the President’s daughters who came in through a private entrance after a morning jog. “I thought it was staff, but then I realized we were in the private living quarters.”

It all happened so quickly, and before she knew it, Jones was invited to the sitting room with a fireplace for a chat with the President and US Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Memphis.

“It was awesome,” said Jones. “President Obama was so warm and personable, expressing his gratitude to the seniors who preceded him. It was like talking to a son or a grandson who was visiting his grandmama.

He seemed just like he’s known us his entire life and we’ve known him.”

The only teacher among the six honorees, Jones was nominated by Cohen for dedicating more than 50 years of her life to teaching and service work with the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), where she is currently a board member and past president.

Jones spoke with Obama about education and thanked him for his commitment to public schools.

“Being a member of TEA, being an educator today is one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks in life,” said Jones, the first African American classroom teacher to be elected TEA president. “Our society cannot make it without good teachers.”

Jones and other award recipients were invited to the White House during Black History Month as part of an effort to “salute and reflect on the contributions African Americans have made to the rich fabric that makes up the United States,” according to the statement from the White House. “There are many untold stories that reveal the best of Americans who stepped up when duty called, broke color barriers, or quietly made their communities better one person at a time.”

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s historic speech on the drum major instinct, the “Drum Major for Service” award is a way to thank and honor Americans who, by their demonstrated commitment and example, inspire others to engage in volunteer service in their own communities.

The White House sought to honor “unsung heroes,” or individuals who “strengthen their communities through extraordinary everyday acts of service done with reliability and commitment, but who seldom receive recognition.”

“It was truly the highlight of my life,” said Jones.

“The President spent the time like he had nothing else to do and we were the only people in his life in that hour, in those moments.”

After she retired following 43 years in the classroom, Jones said she decided to continue the service in her community, staying true to her calling.

“Even as a little girl, I always wanted to play teacher, so I never thought of leaving the profession,” said Jones. “I just didn’t play at all if I couldn’t be a teacher.”

Honored — Velma Lois Jones, the first African American woman elected as TEA president, was among the six recipients of the “Drum Majors for Service Award” from the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. You can watch the White House video featuring Jones in the news section at www.teateachers.org.

TEA E-Newsletters Pointing You in the Right Direction � TEA WEBSITE

� FACEBOOK

� TWITTER

� YOUTUBE

Important Updates A lot can happen in between issues of teach. As a result, it is important that TEA communicates with members in a variety of ways to share updates on key happenings with the legislature, State Board of Education, important news articles and events. One method we rely heavily on is our e-newsletters. TEA distributes at least one email to members every week – either the “Tuesday Report” or “Compass.”

The “Tuesday Report” e-newsletter is your best resource for all of the latest information on evaluations.

“Compass” is a more general e-newsletter TEA uses to share information on important topics that affect your classroom.

If you are not receiving these e-newsletters from TEA, please email achaney@tea.nea.org to be added to the distribution list. Also, many school email accounts will no longer accept email from TEA. If your school email address is the one we have on file for you, it is important that you send us your home email address to ensure continued delivery of TEA emails.

11 www.teateachers.org

T U E S D A Y, M A Y 8, 2 0 1 2 Need information, services?

Mitchell Johnson Assistant Executive Director for Affiliate Services Donna Cotner Manager 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

O

n National Teacher Day, thousands of communities take time to honor their local educators and acknowledge the crucial role teachers play in making sure every student receives a quality education.

“Few other professionals impact as many lives as teachers do,” said TEA President Gera Summerford.

“National Teacher Day is a good time to educate your family, friends and community about the work you do every day.”

The teaching profession has changed dramatically over the past 50 years. As part of its annual National Teacher Day celebration, taking place this year on Tuesday, May 8, the TEA is highlighting key trends in the teaching profession.

• More teachers believe collaborating with colleagues is essential to their work, but many districts still don’t provide

time for teachers to learn, share and collaborate.

• Nearly all classrooms (97 percent) have one or more computers, but half of the nation’s teachers say they need training to better integrate technology into classroom instruction—and such support is unevenly distributed across schools.

• Newer teachers put a high premium on exploring new roles and taking on new responsibilities in order to expand career options.

• Teachers’ salaries still lag behind those for other occupations requiring a college degree, and the pay gap is growing larger.

Visit www.nea.org/grants/1359.htm to help promote better understanding of public schools in your community.

TEA Calendar of Events May 4 May 6-12 May 8 May 10 May 10 May 11-12 May 21-23 May 28 June 1

June 6-9

Deadline for Local Association Newsletter Contest entries Teacher Appreciation Week National Teacher Day Deadline for mailing to TEA room reservations for NEA-RA TEA Board of Directors, TEA Building TEA Representative Assembly, Nashville Convention Center TEA Staff Meeting Memorial Day Deadline for submitting nominations for Don Sahli-Kathy Woodall Graduate Scholarship TEA Summer Leadership Academy and TEA Political Academy, Franklin

District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabethton, TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, fax: (423)2628053; 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, P.O. Box 5502, Oak Ridge, TN 37831; (615)521-1333; Assns: Anderson, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan, Scott, Oneida, York Institute District 6 — Reba Luttrell, 503 Cardinal St., Maryville, TN 37803; phone/fax: (865)9838640; 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, JacksonMadison, 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

April 2012