October - Tennessee Education Association

Published by the TENNESSEE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
www.teateachers.org
Library Beautiful:
Principal Takes Road Less Traveled
To Engage Students, Bolster Reading
page 3
Evaluating Evaluation:
What It’s Doing to Us,
How We Can Change It
page 8
Forging Ahead
Sumner Co. Teachers
Challenge Adversity
In Federal Court
page 12

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)242-7397
Web site: 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 Vacant
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 Vacancy
BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER EAST Paula Hancock
(865)694-1691
BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER MIDDLE Alzenia Walls
(615)230-8144
BLACK CLASSROOM TEACHER WEST LaVerne Dickerson*
(901)416-7122
STATE SPECIAL SCHOOLS Vacancy
ESP Christine Denton (931)647-8962
TN NEA DIRECTOR Stephen Henry* (615)519-5691
TN NEA DIRECTOR Diccie Smith (901)482-0627
TN NEA DIRECTOR Diane Lillard (423)478-8827
STEA MEMBER Caryce Gilmore (865)640-6590
TN RETIRED Gerald Lillard (423)478-8827
NEW TEACHER Candra Clariette (615)506-3493
* Executive Committee
TEA HEADQUARTERS STAFF
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Alphonso C. Mance; ASST. EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, AFFILIATE SERVICES: Mitchell Johnson; ASST.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PROGRAM SERVICES: Carol K. Schmoock;
ASST. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & TEA GENERAL COUNSEL; Bryan
McCarty; MANAGER OF BUSINESS AFFAIRS: Stephanie Faulkner;
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY & SYSTEMS MANAGER, Galen
Riggs; MANAGER OF UNISERV: Ronny Clemmons; 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: Vacancy; MANAGING EDITOR
& COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT: Alexei Smirnov; MANAGER
OF RESEARCH & INFORMATION: Melissa Brown; RESEARCH &
INFORMATION ASSISTANTS: Susan Ogg, Vacancy; MANAGER FOR
INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: Terrance Gibson;
INSTRUCTION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COORDINATORS:
Susan Dalton, Nicki Fields; COORDINATOR OF MEMBERSHIP & AF-
FILIATE RELATIONS: Duran Williams.
UniServ Staff Contact Information
can be found on page 12.
2 October 2011
Speaking out with you
Gera Summerford, President
Together, We Can Improve Evaluation
In recent weeks, TEA held twelve regional “Let’s Talk” forums
across our state and engaged in conversations with nearly 600
educators. It was a wonderful opportunity to glean information
and share our stories. As I listened to our members, I was struck
by the sense of urgency and responsibility they expressed. Our
members are hungry for details about the evaluation system
and eager to get to the truth behind the
rumors. Administrators, teachers and support
professionals take their work very seriously
and want to do the best they can to help
children learn. And they want to perform
at the highest level possible in their job
assignments.
During this time of change in public
education, it’s important to remember what
unites us and why we chose this profession.
We believe education is the key to a brighter future. We know that
public schools are best equipped to provide equal opportunities
for all children. And we know that it takes all of us working
together to create a great place for kids to learn. The culture of
teaching is collaborative, not competitive. Within our schools, we
know we have to function more like a family than a business.
While we struggle to adapt to a new evaluation system, let’s
not lose sight of the
inherent value of our
profession—it is a noble,
heart-and-soul way of
life. We must continue
to take pride in what we
do, combine our efforts
for improvement, and
unite our voices. We
“The culture of
teaching is collaborative,
not competitive. Within
our schools, we have to
function like a family...”
can’t allow the external forces of change to affect our internal
core of compassion for children and joy in teaching. Regardless of
how we are evaluated, we will always preserve our commitment
to students, our passion to stand up for public schools and our
reputation as professionals.
Thousands of our members have shared their concerns with
us by email and phone calls, by attending a “Let’s Talk” forum
and by responding to the online survey. As always, TEA staff
and leadership are working to ensure that our members stay
informed and have access to the support and guidance they
need. In addition, we continue to represent educators across our
state in communications with Commissioner Kevin Huffman, the
State Board of Education and the General Assembly, especially
with regard to evaluations. As TEA works to offset the negative
effects of the recent legislative and regulatory changes, we need
consistent feedback from our members to help guide the process
of turning things around for our students and our schools.
Educators accept responsibility for helping children learn,
and we know we can’t do it alone. The effort to create true school
reform requires all of us working together for change. I’m proud
of our TEA family and the work we all do to provide a quality
education for every child.
Now, more than ever, you are more than a “3” to me!
Al Mance, Executive Director
Uncaring Legislators Must Not Get Their Way
The radical attacks of the 107th General Assembly on teachers and
their Association defy reason. What’s worse, they defy any reasonable
concept of care for the boys and girls of Tennessee and those who
choose to spend their careers teaching them. At a time when America
should be seeking unity, the majority of those elected to serve the
citizens of Tennessee sought to divide the providers and beneficiaries
of public education.
One thing was clear from the rhetoric of bill
sponsors and those who ultimately voted for the
attack legislation: they did not want teachers
to have the right to negotiate contracts with
local boards of education. Teachers were not to
have the legal right to sit across the table from
local boards of education as equal partners to
advocate for the resources essential to effective
teaching. Teachers would no longer have the right
to bring their collective voices to questions of effective curriculum
and policy.
This is not to say these legislators are evil. Some of them were
simply voting their self-interest without regard for Tennessee’s
teachers or students. They said TEA had not contributed enough
money to Republican candidates. The inference was that there would
have been fewer attacks on teachers if TEA had contributed more
to Republicans. Of course, we don’t care to what political party a
candidate belongs. Rather, we support candidates who support a
high quality public education for all boys and girls and who respect
teachers.
Looking beyond the rhetoric, we find a stark difference between
those of us who believe universal public education is fundamental to
democracy and those who seek to undermine the institution.
We believe a strong public education system provides equal
opportunity and access to social status and reward without regard to
family wealth or social status. Further, students should be limited only
by their talents and work ethic.
Others seem to believe public education exists primarily to
serve the needs of business and industry. They claim the activities
of teachers should be directed by outside interests and testing
is necessary to ensure outcomes for children. Public education
is to serve the needs of industry, so business controls the money
along with education policy and dictates the “product” schools
are to deliver. Their brand of education reform ensures the school’s
curriculum matches the needs of industry, while administrators find
the most efficient ways to process boys and girls through the system.
Teachers are to execute the plan. Some education policy makers now
refer to teachers as “human capital.”
We reject this philosophy along with the laws and policies that
reflect it. While America may honor some skills and gifts more than
others at different times in history, this is shortsighted and not
beneficial to the preservation of our nation.
We chose this profession because we believe that all students
deserve to acquire the attitudes and skills essential to life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness. We must work harder than those who believe
access should be limited to those with social status and family wealth.
We need you to join the fight for the future of Tennessee’s youths.
You count.
Principal, Librarian Build “Imagination Path”
Inspired approach to library design elevates student engagement
Moving into a new school
building always brings myriad
possibilities for improved
instruction and enhanced
student experience. The key
here is to seize the moment, and Ridgeview
Elementary School Principal Peggy Greene
proved that the sky, or at least the ceiling, is
the limit when one strives to dream big.
“When our school was built in 2008, we
moved in without a library or a gym,” says
Greene. Along with Lori Acord, Ridgeview
Elementary librarian, Greene transformed the
cinder block walls of their allotted library space
into a theme park of wonder dedicated to the
printed word.
“We just put our heads together to figure
out what we wanted and presented it to the
school board,” says Greene. “We wanted to tell
a story and make it a learning experience.”
The duo sought help from a local artist to create what is now called “The
Imagination Path,” an artfully executed space which takes students on a
journey through storylines, designed to spark more interest in books and
create a welcoming atmosphere for reading.
The path starts with a little pig named Wilbur of “Charlotte’s Web,” moves
through a farm scene to the “Magic Tree House,” past Percy Jackson and “The
Chronicles of Narnia” into the Pirate Cove, the kids’ favorite place to read.
There’s a Tennessee wall, bedecked with the requisite and numerous state
symbols, all clearly marked. There’s also ample room to say the Pledge of
Allegiance and brush up on the Dewey Decimal Classification System.
While the room was under construction, Greene and Acord offered
Ridgeview students a library on wheels.
“Lori didn’t have a book or library space, so I found some books in the
dumpster that she could use,” says Greene. Equipped with a cart, Acord says
she went from one classroom to another, inspiring children to read and learn
first-hand the virtue of resourcefulness.
“Now if anyone wants to complain about anything, I tell them the story
about our library,” adds Greene, giving credit to central office staff for helping
design what is probably the most inspired—and inspiring—space in the school.
What will they think of next?
New Teacher Conferences Offer Strategies for Success
Novice teachers participate in TEA’s new teacher training in
2010. Conference fees are refunded to TEA members.
From left to right: Peggy Greene, principal of Ridgeview Elementary School in Gray, Tenn.; students enjoy readnig
time; Lori Acord, Ridgeview librarian, welcomes students. Greene and Acord are members of Washington Co. EA.
Novice teachers will have two opportunities
during this school year to enhance their
success in the classroom at TEA’s New Teacher
Conferences.
For the first time this year, the New Teacher
Conference offers two tracks especially
designed for less experienced teachers.
The always-popular “I Can Do It!” classroom
management training and—new this year—a
series of three sessions titled “The Road to
Success.” This track offers practical advice
on differentiated instruction strategies,
professionalism, and teacher evaluations.
Both tracks are offered on two Saturdays
this school year: November 5, 2011, and
February 25, 2012.
Teachers in their first three years of
classroom teaching are invited to attend either
or both conferences. Each track runs all day,
from 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. Teachers will
earn six hours of professional development
credit for each conference they attend, a
total of 12 hours for those who attend both
conferences.
The registration fee for each event is $40,
with a discounted rate available for those
individuals who register for both sessions at
the same time. Even better, the registration
fee will be refunded for TEA members who
attend the conferences if their registration
fees have been paid by personal or Association
check.
Conference details and registration
forms are available at www.teateachers.org,
and have been mailed to local association
presidents and Association Representatives.
TEA’s New Teacher Conferences are
sponsored and hosted by the TEA’s New Teacher
Committee, chaired by Candra Clariette of
Metropolitan Nashville Education Association.
The conferences will be held at the TEA
building, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville.
www.teateachers.org
3

P.T. Miller: “My Association Is Not What’s Wrong With Public Education”
By P.T. Miller
I
am a second-career educator, in
my 13th year of teaching following
retirement from the Air Force. When
I joined the school system, I joined
the Clarksville-Montgomery County
Education Association, TEA and NEA.
It’s my professional organization. I felt the
need to join. I don’t necessarily agree with all
that NEA is doing in the political arena, but I
do believe they have the best interests of our
nation’s children at heart.
My local association is important to me—it
gives me peace of mind. Sometimes peace
of mind costs a little bit of money. Our dues
went up a little bit, but that’s ok with me. It’s
important to know that someone was in my
corner when the legislature began to “reform”
education in Tennessee. I’m not sure what
happened. When I thought about it, I felt like
I was being attacked by my state legislature.
Did I do something wrong?
When I reflected long and hard about what
I might have done, I realized that all I ever
did was show up at work on time, ready to be
fired any minute and gave a damn about my
kids. And I got attacked for doing that. I don’t
think I’ve ever done anything against our
legislators. I have noted that in Tennessee, it felt like the only
group getting hammered was the teachers.
I can’t disagree with the concept of evaluating teachers.
I was evaluated once a year. But the loss of negotiations—I
might have a problem with that. It depends on what my
local school system does. The way things are going, I feel
a little paranoid. I haven’t seen a lot of changes yet, but I’m
waiting for another shoe to drop. If there are going to be any
changes, big ones, they will come next year.
Small changes are already here. We have professional learning
communities at our schools. Now they take place during the after-school
hours. Collaborative conferencing is taking the place of negotiations. The
problem is collaborative conferencing is not binding on either side. I’m
sure they can cut your pay. The economy is not good and the school system
needs money.
But I have somebody in my corner. TEA was in my corner, debating
those bills. Collectively, we did the best we could do. At least we were at
the table. I don’t know what the evaluation system and all the other laws
would look like if TEA wasn’t at the table. Some people complain that the
Association can’t do anything for them. Maybe they haven’t asked or taken
action themselves.
From B-52 bomber to geography classroom — Former B-52 bombardier P.T. Miller doesn’t shy away from teacher evaluation. He wants to make sure teachers
are treated fairly. Miller is looking to enlist math teachers across the state to help decipher the TVAAS formula he received from the state with TEA’s help.
I know at least I can go to CMCEA and TEA and seek help if
something happens to me. I value this support and I’m willing
to pay for it.
There is some progress with efforts to improve
evaluation. At least in this school system, this year they are
finally going to count the student’s TCAP score as 15% of
the second-semester grade. I know in my school system and
nationally they say that education of a child is a team effort,
which includes the parents, the student and the teacher.
Even so, I feel like I’m the only one being held responsible.
Honestly, I feel like I’m the only one they could reach out and touch. I don’t
mind being accountable, but I’m not sure TVAAS is the best way to do it.
When I wanted to know what the TVAAS formula is, I couldn’t find out
and neither could anyone else in my school system. I know it’s generally
based on the kids’ TCAP scores, but I don’t know where the achievement
part fits in. It’s been decided that TVAAS is the best measure of a teacher’s
effectiveness.
If it’s a mathematical formula, tell me what it is. Why is it not on the
school system’s website? How come all I get is a number and some assurance
that there’s a formula and I should trust it? I’m not even sure the school
system knows what it is.
So I asked TEA through my UniServ Coordinator Rhonda Thompson, and I
got it. It’s 14 pages of mathematical equations
and I’m not sure I’ll be able to grasp it all, but I
can try.
I understand that being evaluated is
important. When I moved here and began
looking for a school for my children, good TCAP
scores meant good schools, and bad TCAP scores
meant bad schools. Nothing else matters, it’s a
perception, and perception is reality. I’m just a
little gun-shy about this evaluation because I
feel like I was attacked for doing my work.
I’m not the typical teacher, so I may have a
better outlook on the current state of affairs
than some of my colleagues. I’ve only been
teaching for 12 years and I’m near the end of my
career. If it gets bad enough, I’ll quit and I’ll be
eligible to collect Social Security and retire. It’s
not bad yet, but I’m waiting for the other shoe
to drop.
Eighty percent of expenses in school systems
are salary and benefits, and money’s tight. If
they feel like cutting my compensation, they
can do it. I might be able to accept it, but only
if everyone takes a pay cut, from the top down.
But if I had kids in college thinking about being
a teacher, I would advise them against it in this
environment. Teaching is certainly not as much
fun as it used to be. I don’t know what it was
like in the 1970s, but I know it wasn’t this stressful.
I came out of the military after 22 years and I always thought I could
be a teacher. I’ve been teaching geography to seventh-graders for the last
seven years. I had forgotten how hard it was to be that age. It’s just flat
hard being 12 or 13 years old, even if you have a perfect home life. But my
kids show up every day. I know those parents send me the best kids they
Statewide Member Benefits
Webinar Held in Springfield
TEA members took part in the member benefits webinar held at
Robertson Co. central office in Springfield. The September meeting involved
13 local associations, allowing members from Memphis, Johnson City,
Hamilton Co., Knox Co., Sevier Co. and others to watch and learn remotely.
When you are
As part of the event, a new TEA member from Hamilton Co. won a $100
fuel card and a $50 restaurant gift card. For more information about the
benefits of being a member of your local association, TEA and NEA, visit
confident
www.neamb.com. Above, left to right: Tammy Artz, president of Robertson
you can take the lead.
Co. EA, talks with TEA board member Margaret Thompson. Below, Carolyn
McClain Johnson, NEA Member Benefits specialist for the Tennessee region,
shares the stage with Duran Williams, TEA membership coordinator.
Confident investors looking to save on fees
should look at NEA Valuebuilder ® DirectInvestSM have, and I’ll work with them. Some days are better than others, but most of
the time they’re pretty good.
Before I was a teacher, I was a B-52 bombardier. It’s a big airplane,
but the office wasn’t very accommodating. They have a lot of room for Now you can choose an NEA retirement program that you direct yourself and save on
bombs and fuel, but not much room for the six guys who flew in that thing. the cost of a financial advisor. NEA Valuebuilder
My station was in the lower deck with no lights. It was always dark. In
an uncomfortable seat. But Uncle Sam treated me pretty well. For the
first seven years, I made more money from military retirement than I did
teaching school.
In my heart, middle school is where I want to be. All I know after my
many years in the Air Force and education, if there is anything wrong with
public education, it’s not my Association.
® DirectInvestSM gives you a low initial
investment of $1,000 or just $25 if you sign up for direct payroll deduction, a choice of
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To learn more or enroll visit neamb.com/retire1 and select DirectInves
4 October 2011 Share your story: asmirnov@tea.nea.org
You should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, and charges and expenses of the mutual funds available under the NEA Valuebuilder Program before inv
P.T. Miller teaches geography at Rossview Middle School in Clarksville may obtain and a prospectus is that contains this and other information about the mutual funds by calling our National Service Center at 1-800-NEA-VALU (632-8258). You s
the prospectus carefully before investing. Investing in mutual funds involves risk and there is no guarantee of investment results.
a member of Clarksville-Montgomery Co. EA.
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 m
individual retirement accounts established by NEA members. Security Distributors, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively “Security Benefit”) make the NEA Valuebuilder products availab
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 pro
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 5 any investment p
compete with the NEA Valuebuilder products. MBC promotes the program to NEA members and their employers and provides certain services www.teateachers.org
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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 a

Evaluating Teacher Evaluation:
It’s Not What We Wanted; It Must Be Changed
Tennessee’s teachers, TEA leaders push for change in evaluation model
Opinion/Commentary
“I am a Teacher. It’s Not What I ‘Do.’ It’s Who I Am”
Dreams of school become school nightmares
When the state education commissioner starts to rethink the
new teacher evaluation system he rushed into existence a
few months earlier, expect others to take notice.
It wasn’t difficult to see that Tennessee Education
Commissioner Kevin Huffman stretched the truth when
By Laura Key
I don’t play tennis or golf. I don’t knit or run marathons or collect
memorabilia. I teach.
I am both the noun form and verb form of the word.
Teaching is not what I “do”, it is who I am.
If I’m not at work between 7:30 a.m. until I am run out of the building
the skill that was taught and explained thoroughly in my lesson plan
(which was taught through modeling, questioning, included a hands-on
activity in six small groups in my room, as well as a writing assignment
expecting students to demonstrate their knowledge of the skill), and
also included the scores of both of my non-reading students and the
class still obtained a 93.3% — and when I score a “2” (on a five-point
he circulated a statement in September implying that the controversial
at 5:00 p.m., then I am at home — grading papers, creating online scale) on student work — I am crushed.
evaluation system had the support of Tennessee’s teachers and their
assessments and practice, emailing a parent, and deciding which four I am told that I should have asked “so-and-so” for help in making my
Association. Huffman did not mention in his communiqué that TEA repeatedly
warned his department and other stakeholders that the evaluation system, as
implemented by the Tennessee Department of Education, was too burdensome
students left names off their papers as I prepare supper for my family.
At the table, I tell humorous, frustrating and poignant stories from
my day at school.
While cleaning up after supper, my hands may be rinsing the dishes,
lesson plan and that I should ask them next time in order to “do better.”
I’m going to get some help, I’m told.
I have taught for 15 years and spent four years becoming a teacher in
college. Before that, I simply longed to be a teacher.
and too raw for a statewide rollout this school year.
but my mind is trying to decide whether or not Hannah’s mom received It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
As a result, calls to re-evaluate and modify the new teacher evaluation
the note I sent home with her. How can I help Alex’s mom agree to the I went back to school recently to improve my teaching skills by
system have been heard from teachers, principals and even school board
members across Tennessee. Parents are catching the wind of frustration and
despair in schools as they are told that principals and teachers don’t have time
Share your story — TEA Executive Director Al Mance listens to members’ evaluation
concerns during the “Let’s Talk” forum in Kingsport. Opposite page: members share
evaluation concerns at a forum in Nashville.
testing and help which I know her son needs with his speech? And what
pair of shoes can I wear tomorrow because tomorrow is Friday, and every
Friday my feet are burdened by
blisters from standing on my feet
obtaining a master’s degree. I expect to be making payments on my
student loan when I am eligible for retirement in five years.
for face-to-face meetings. Everyone is consumed with evaluation and lesson
plans.
received reports from several school districts which use the new laws and the
all day long, all week long? At least
I get to sit down when I use the
“I am questioning who I am,
In an unlikely example of solidarity with teachers, the Rutherford County
Board of Education voted unanimously at the beginning of September to
formally submit a letter to Huffman, asking for an evaluation makeover.
“No one’s against the idea of the evaluation. It’s just not an effective use
of time,” Rutherford board member Tim Tackett told The Daily News Journal
in Murfreesboro. “Principals are telling me that they’re so caught up in the
process that they don’t have time to do the things they feel makes their school
a good place.”
Teachers speak out
When TEA held 12 regional “Let’s Talk” forums across the state at the
new evaluation to discriminate against and instill fear amongst teachers, in
violation of existing collective bargaining agreements and laws currently on
the books.
“Conscientious teachers are anxious and apprehensive, because they want
to be successful,” says TEA President Gera Summerford. “They want to improve
their instruction and will accept needed assistance. They don’t object to being
held accountable for their work. And they deserve a fair, valid and reliable
evaluation system that truly measures what they do to help children every
day.”
TEA pushes for change
restroom, but on most days I don’t wondering whether I had
even get do that until 3:30 p.m. or
later. It may sound comical, but it’s wasted the majority of my life to
true.
end up being ‘average’ and just
I am a teacher. It’s not what I
“do”, it’s who I am.
meeting expectations after
When I finally collapse into bed years of hard work.”
after getting my clothes ready for
school, I can’t fall asleep for two
hours because my mind insists on
processing more school thoughts—even when I desperately want to
I am a teacher. It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
sleep. Finally, I fall asleep. Ah, yes, sweet sleep. But wait, here come the And now, after experiencing the new evaluation model that is
beginning of the school year, members’ concerns ranged from bewilderment Advocating for Tennessee’s teachers, TEA leaders meet regularly with
school dreams.
designed to make me reflect on my teaching, I am doing more than that.
and frustration to calls for an all-out repeal of the new evaluation model.
“The stories we’ve heard confirm our worst fears about the implementation
of the system and the unreasonable expectations our members are facing,”
says TEA Executive Director Al Mance. “We will continue to speak out on behalf
Huffman to review the most recent feedback they receive from schools and
TEA members.
As part of the ongoing conversation, state leaders are reminded that
when TEA worked with Governor Phil Bredesen and his staff on The Race to the
The scenarios vary. It may be one of those “a tornado is coming and
I am trying to save my students” dreams. Or it may be a dream where I
forgot to take my kids to music and I no longer have the 35 minutes of
planning time. Hopefully, it’s just one of the “normal” dreams in which
my students just appear because they have been on my mind for various
I am questioning my aptitude and doubting my ability to teach
effectively.
I am questioning who I am, wondering whether I had wasted
the majority of my life to end up being ‘average’ and just meeting
expectations after years of hard work.
of our members and work for an evaluation system that is fair, effective, and Top application, no specifics of the evaluation system had been developed.
reasons.
I was told to expect suggestions that will help me do better. Really?
workable.”
The outcry from teachers has reached some of the politicians responsible
for pushing through anti-teacher legislation during the 107th General
Assembly. State Rep. Rick Womick (R-Rockvale) said in an appeal to his
constituents that he heard their concerns. “It has come to my attention
A committee was formed to make recommendations for creating a new
evaluation system. In the end, the State Board of Education exercised its right
to design the final system, without the involvement of TEA.
Throughout the process, TEA has consistently opposed major components
of the evaluation system, including the rush to use the results in employment
I am a teacher. It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
It’s the bags of bubble gum I grab on my way to the checkout lane
because “my kids” covet chewing gum more than anything else in their
already full treat box. Or it’s the basketball I buy because “my kids” want
something fun to play with at recess. It’s the little league football game
I watch on an early Saturday morning because three of “my boys” play
I am already giving every ounce of my being to be the best I can be
and I find it hard to even muster the extra energy I will need to work
harder and put more into what I already do.
I am hurt.
I am embarrassed.
I’m not against being evaluated. I know my administrators are doing
through your numerous emails and phone calls that the new teacher
evaluation system is an apparent ‘disaster’,” he wrote.
As state legislators and Huffman appear willing to consider an overhaul of
the evaluation model, it offers little consolation to teachers across the state
who feel inadequate, oppressed and depressed as new regulations were rolled
decisions and the use of school-wide data for teachers in non-tested areas,
among others. TEA leaders also cautioned that too many questions were
unanswered at the time of the evaluation’s rollout.
In the meantime, the only way to change the current evaluation system is
to share stories with its creators.
football this year.
I am a teacher. It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
So when you evaluate me and I am considered to be “average—at
expectations”…
I am angry.
No, I am hurt.
what they are required to do. But teachers and administrators across the
state are frustrated with this evaluation system.
I am a well-educated professional with a master’s degree, but I’m
told that I’m “average” and I should be pleased with that rating.
I am not.
Because I am a teacher. It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
out in their schools.
“I have not smiled since the beginning of school. I am depressed,” said one
teacher who asked not to be identified.
“This evaluation makes teaching impossible,” she said. “I don’t mind being
evaluated, but this goes too far.”
“Throughout this school year, we must all continue to call and write our
elected officials on school boards and in the legislature to let them know this
system of evaluating teachers and administrators is not working and must
be changed,” says Mance, encouraging Tennessee’s teachers to stay alert for
TEA communications. “Share your evaluation story with us. We’ll take it to
No, most honestly, I am devastated.
I am a teacher. It’s not what I “do”. It’s who I am.
So when I have spent more than four and a half hours on creating,
writing and producing my lesson plan for an evaluation, and 93.3
percent is the average score on my students’ independent work assessing
Laura Key,
August 26, 2011, 2:54 a.m.
P.S. Guess I’m off to my school dreams now.
Laura Key teaches at Sweetwater Elementary School and is a member of
Sweetwater EA.
It’s no surprise that some teachers worry about speaking openly about Commissioner Huffman and Governor Haslam.”
8 their October view 2011 of the evaluation system. Their career hangs in the balance. TEA has Make a difference; email your evaluation story to amance@tea.nea.org.
www.teateachers.org
9

United we stand — TEA members discuss teacher evaluation and
legislative ideas during the Tennessee Urban Education Association Council
meeting at the TEA headquarters in Nashville in mid-September.
Have a Legislative
Idea? Send it to TEA
Since the founding of the Tennessee Education
Association, promoting legislation to advance public
education—and to benefit students and educators—has
been a major objective of the Association.
In keeping with that objective, TEA is seeking your
recommendations of
items to be included in
the next TEA Legislative
Program. All suggestions
will be considered by the
TEA Legislative Editing
Committee appointed by
President Gera Summerford.
The Editing Committee will develop a
proposed program which will be presented
to the TEA Representative Assembly next
spring. The Legislative Program gives
guidelines to leaders and staff as they
work to promote our members’ legislative
concerns in the General Assembly.
The Tennessee Education Association
wants to be responsive to members’
concerns. If you have issues you would like
TEA to submit to the Tennessee General
Assembly, please send them to us. You
can also email them directly to TEA’s
Government Relations division. You can
be assured that all suggestions will be
given serious consideration by the TEA
Legislative Editing Committee.
Completed forms should be returned no
later than October 31, 2011, to:
Jerry Winters, Manager, TEA Government
Relations, 801 Second Avenue North,
Nashville, TN 37201-1099, or email to:
sstinson@tea.nea.org.
Please send your ideas
to be included in the TEA
Legislative Program by
October 31, 2011.
Applegate-Dorros
Award
Carter G. Woodson
Award
César Chávez
Award
Ellison S. Onizuka
Award
George I. Sánchez
Award
H. Councill Trenholm
Award
Leo Reano
Award
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Award
Mary Hatwood Futrell
Award
Reg Weaver
Award
Rosa Parks
Award
Rosena J. Willis
Award
Su Anne Big Crow
Award
Virginia Uribe
Award
NEA Human and Civil Rights
2012 Nominations for the
HCR Awards
that Honor
Human and Civil Rights Champions!
Help us keep the American Teachers Association legacy alive!
Identify and nominate exemplary individuals,
organizations, and affiliates to celebrate at the
2012 NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner.
Deadline for submission:
Postmarked by December 10, 2011
The nomination forms and step-by-step
instructions are available online interactively at
www.nea.org/hcrawards
For nomination forms or questions, contact
Sabrina Williams, 202-822-7709
sawilliams@nea.org
08.11.10428.KC
10 October 2011 11
www.teateachers.org

Sumner Co. Teachers Fight for Rights
Federal complaint seeks relief under PECCA
As a veteran social studies teacher with a Ph.D. in education,
Alzenia Walls (pictured on the cover) knows a thing or two about the
inalienable rights afforded to the teachers of her county and state.
As President of Sumner County Education Association, Walls is at
the forefront of the fight to bring back civility and humanity into
the relationship between the local school board and its employees,
and hopefully turn around the hostile attitude of authorities toward
teachers across the state.
After months of frustrated efforts to assert its rights with
the Sumner County Board of Education, the SCEA filed a federal
complaint against the board on September 7. Filed in the U.S.
District Court in Nashville, the complaint alleges violations of
basic First Amendment rights of SCEA and SCEA members, as well
as violation of their rights under the controversial Professional
Employees Collaborative Conferencing Act of 2011 (PECCA), which
was pushed through the legislature earlier this year by anti-public
school interests to replace the Education Professional Negotiations
Act (EPNA).
“As the new school year was set to begin with new state laws in
place, the SCEA attempted to work with the Sumner County Board of
Education and its new Director of Schools, Dr. Del R. Phillips,” says
SCEA attorney Rick Colbert. “SCEA’s good faith efforts were met
with responses designed to silence SCEA and its educator members,
in violation not only of their rights under state law but also their
constitutional rights.”
“SCEA regrets that the school board’s hostile actions
necessitate the filing of this lawsuit,” says Colbert.
For a number of years, SCEA and the Sumner County Board
of Education were parties to a series of collective bargaining
agreements negotiated and ratified under the EPNA, which was
repealed earlier this year with the passage of PECCA.
Freedom of Association
The lawsuit asserts that the SCEA has been singled out for
adverse treatment by the board. SCEA was told that it had no
right to engage in various association activities, including use
of school facilities, bulletin boards, use of the inter-school
mail delivery system, transaction of association or member
business, representation of teachers and participation in teacher
orientations or in-service events. The plaintiffs allege that
the board has intended to interfere with SCEA’s operations,
communication and membership recruitment. The board imposed
a complete ban on communication with the board and all
administrative personnel and threatened litigation if SCEA did not
comply with the ban.
Freedom of Speech
In its complaint, SCEA asserts that the school board denied the
right of self-organization in violation of the law. The board also
denied Sumner County teachers the right to join the SCEA, the right
to be assisted by the SCEA, or to engage in concerted activities
for mutual aid and benefit. Any exercise of these rights carried a
warning and threat of board action to impose reprisals. It is alleged
that the threat of litigation had a chilling effect on employee
speech. All restrictions were unreasonable, including and not
limited to matters of public concern. The complaint also alleges that
the restrictions were calculated and taken in a deliberate effort
to stifle communication based on disagreements with the SCEA’s
viewpoints.
Freedom of Petition
According to the lawsuit, the SCEA had a right to pursue
redress of grievances under the EPNA. The board’s retaliation and
interference based on the prior litigation constituted a direct
violation of the SCEA’s right to petition for redress. The threat
of additional retaliatory litigation infringes freedom of speech,
freedom of expressive association and freedom of petition.
Multiple Unlawful Acts Under PECCA
Sumner County teachers allege in the complaint that SCEA is
protected by state law from imposed reprisals or threats of reprisal.
SCEA is protected from interference, restraint and coercion. SCEA
has access rights to members and potential members, and it is
unlawful for the board to discourage or interfere with membership.
Broadcasting inaccurate and unconstitutional prohibitions to
all employees frustrated SCEA’s communications with members
and non-members. The board’s actions reflect a continuing and
intentional effort to undermine membership by acts that interfere
with protected rights of the SCEA and individual employees.
Irreparable Harm
The lawsuit asserts that the Board’s actions inhibited the SCEA’s
ability to associate with and communicate with employees.
“The prohibitions and deprivations have adversely affected the
SCEA’s ability to gain new members and retain existing members,”
says Walls. “The truth is on our side. We’re standing up for teachers
and their rights.”
If your local association is experiencing similar problems,
please contact your UniServ Coordinator or call TEA Legal Services
at 800.342.8367.
TEA Calendar of Events
October 2011
October 1 TEA Committee-Commission Weekend
October 7 Yom Kippur begins at sundown
October 10 Columbus Day
October 14-15 TEA Board of Directors, TEA Building
October 21-23 NEA Southeast Regional Minority Leadership
Conference, Washington, DC.
October 24 United Nations day
October 28-30 TEA Advocacy Conference, Murfreesboro
October 31 Halloween
November 2011
November 5 New Teacher Conference, TEA Building
November 13-19 American Education Week
November 16 ESP Day
November 24 Thanksgiving
Need information, services?
Mitchell Johnson
Assistant Executive Director for Affi liate
Services
Ronny Clemmons & Donna Cotner
Managers of UniServ
Tennessee Education Association, 801 Second Avenue
North, Nashville, TN 37201-1099
(615) 242-8392, (800) 342-8367, FAX (615) 259-4581
UniServ Coordinators
District 1 — Harry Farthing, P.O. Box 298, Elizabethton,
TN 37644; phone: (423)262-8035, fax: (423)262-
8053; Assns: Carter, Hancock, Hawkins, Rogersville,
Johnson, Sullivan, Bristol, Kingsport, Northeast State
C.C. District 2 — Jennifer Gaby, P.O. Box 70, Afton,
TN 37616; (423)234-0700, fax: (423)234-0708; Assns:
Cocke, Newport, Elizabethton, Greene, Greeneville,
Unicoi, Washington, Johnson City, ETSU. District
3 — Tina Parlier, P.O. Box 74, Corryton, TN 37721;
(865)688-1175, fax: (865)688-5188; Assns: Claiborne,
Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Sevier, Union, Walter
State C.C. District 4 — Jon White, Knox County
Education Association, 2411 Magnolia Ave., Knoxville,
TN 37917-8289; (865)522-9793, fax: (865)522-9866;
Assns: Knox, UT-Knoxville, Pellisippi State C.C.,
TSD. District 5— Vacancy, Assns: Anderson, Clinton,
Oak Ridge, Campbell, Cumberland, Fentress, Morgan,
Scott, Oneida, TSD, York Institute District 6 — Reba
Luttrell, 503 Cardinal St., Maryville, TN 37803; phone/
fax: (865)983-8640; Assns: Blount, Alcoa, Maryville,
Monroe, Sweetwater, Loudon, Lenoir City, Roane,
Roane State C.C. District 7 — Jim Jordan, P.O. Box
4878, Cleveland, TN 37320; phone/fax: (423)472-3315;
Assns: Bledsoe, Bradley, Cleveland, McMinn, Athens,
Etowah, Meigs, Polk, Rhea-Dayton, Cleveland State
C.C. District 8 — Theresa Turner, 4655 Shallowford
Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37411; (423)485-9535, fax:
(423)485-9512; Assns: Hamilton County, Chattanooga
State C.C., UT-Chattanooga, Department of Higher
Ed. District 9 — Jeff Garrett, 801 Second Avenue
North, Nashville, TN 37201; (615)242-8392, ext. 228, or
(800)342-8367; Assns: Coffee, Manchester, Tullahoma,
Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie, Van Buren,
White, Warren. District 10 — Shannon Bain, 1001
Rhett Place, Lebanon, TN 37087; phone: (615)547-7769,
fax: (615)547-7879; Assns: Clay, DeKalb, Jackson, Macon,
Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Trousdale, TTU.
District 11 — Arthur Patterson, 101 Copperas Court,
Murfreesboro, TN 37128; phone: (615)907-9912, fax: (615)
907-5490; Assns: Cannon, Sumner, Wilson, Lebanon
S.S.D., Volunteer State C.C. District 12 — Susan
Young, P.O. Box 422, Madison, TN 37116-0422; phone/
fax: (615)865-9700; Assns: Cheatham, Rutherford,
Murfreesboro, MTSU, TSB, TN Department of Education
District 13 — Forestine Cole, Ralph Smith,
Metro Nashville, 531 Fairground Court, Nashville, TN
37211; (615)726-1499, fax: (615)726-2501; Assns: Metro
Nashville, Nashville State C.C., TSU, Department of
Higher Education District 14 — Rhonda Thompson,
801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201;
(615)242-8392, ext. 321, or (800)342-8367; Assns:
Clarksville-Montgomery, Robertson, APSU District 15
— Miley Durham, P.O. Box 10, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464;
phone/fax: (931)766-7874; Assns: Bedford, Giles, Lawrence,
Lincoln, Fayetteville, Marshall, Moore, Motlow
State C.C. District 16 — Jackie Pope, 2326 Valley
Grove Dr., Murfreesboro, TN 37128; (615) 898-1060, fax:
(615) 898-1099; Assns: Lewis, Maury, Williamson,
Franklin S.S.D. District 17 — Cheryl Richardson
Bradley, 801 Second Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37201;
(615)242-8392, ext. 233, or (800)342-8367; Assns: Decatur,
Dickson, Hardin, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys,
Perry, Wayne District 18 — Maria Uffelman, P.O. Box
99, Cumberland City, TN 37050; phone/fax: (931)827-
3333; Assns: Benton, Carroll (West Carroll) Central,
Clarksburg, Huntingdon, McKenzie, Gibson, Bradford,
Humboldt, Milan, Trenton, Henry, Paris, Stewart,
Weakley, UT-Martin, FTA District 19— Lorrie
Butler, P.O. Box 387, Henderson, TN 38340; (731)989-
4860, fax: (731)989-9254; Assns: Chester, Hardeman,
Henderson, Lexington, Jackson-Madison, McNairy,
Jackson State C.C. District 20 — Karla Carpenter,
P.O. Box 177, Brunswick, TN 38014; (901)590-2543,
fax: (901)382-1433; Assns: Crockett, Dyer, Dyersburg,
Haywood, Lake, Lauderdale, Obion, Union City, Tipton,
Dyersburg State C.C. District 21 — Zandra Foster,
3897 Homewood Cove, Memphis, TN 38128; phone/fax:
(901)377-9472; Assns: Fayette, Shelby, Southwest Tenn.
C.C., University of Memphis. District 22/MEA — Ken
Foster, Executive Director; MEA UniServ Directors:
Marilyn Baker, Susanne Jackson, Terri Jones,
Tom Marchand, Herman Sawyer, MEA, 126 South
Flicker Street, Memphis, TN 38104; (901)454-0966, fax:
(901)454-9979; Assn: Memphis.
www.teateachers.org
www.nea.org
12 October 2011