October - Tennessee Education Association

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
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