The
KCEA Officers
We Did It!
President Tanya T. Coats
After some very long years...
Advocate HAPPY NEW YEAR!
By Tanya T. Coats, KCEA President
I would like to take this opportunity to wish all a very Happy New Year! The Knox County Education Association is Secretary extremely excited about this New KCEA representatives reached agreement with Judy Barnes Year full of continuing opportunities school board representatives over the terms of a Treasurer applicable to your professional MOU (Memorandum Of Understanding, or what was Karen Peterman organization of choice. Thank you for allowing us to formerly called a contract) that will, under the Past President Professional Educators Collaborative Conferencing provide excellent representation and phenomenal Sherry Morgan Act of 2011 (PECCA), be in force for the next three support. Great things are sure to come that foster _____________ great feelings. Taking each day one step at a time is all years. The MOU maintains the current salary Executive Board structure, but it also includes a 4% average salary that our hopes and dreams are made of. We must Representatives increase each year for the next three years, pending continue to be avid fighters for justice in public allocation of adequate resources by the county Elementary Schools education and build a Eric Aguilar commission and the state. The agreement also capacity of leadership that Ashley Anthony maintains current-dollar funding of insurance and Megan Blevins relies on one another to adds bereavement leave. For full details, see the Amy Duncan strengthen our firm MOU, which is posted on the KCEA website: Middle Schools foundation on which we www.kceaintouch.org Marche Lee have established. The Paula Hancock Holiday Break was good for us. As you reflect upon all High Schools Chad Negendank your New Year’s Chuck O’Donnell resolutions, do not forget NEA President Lily Eskelson Garcia and KCEA President Tanya T. Coats Administrator at Large the most important one, Jessica Holman the Knox County Education Association. It is just like Alternative Schools having a gym membership, you can buy a plan to work Connie Mitchell out, but if you just hold the card without actually going Minority at Large President Coats (l) and Matt McWhirter (r) celeinto the gym to put in some sweat equity; what are the Joan Washington Vice President Heather Wallace
By Matt McWhirter KCEA PECCA Chair
brating the PECCA team’s collaborative efforts!
Support Personnel Joe Sumter Parliamentarian Anthony Hancock _____________
TEA / NEA TEA District 4 Seat Anthony Hancock NEA Resolutions Anthony Hancock _____
KCEA Office UniServ Duran Williams Executive Assistant Abbie Hoover
The NEA UniServ Program What does the term “UniServ” mean? It is short for Unified Services. The UniServ program began in Tennessee in the early 1970s. The National Education Association (NEA) provided grants to state affiliates to hire field staff to work with NEA and state affiliate members at the local level. The NEA grant continues to provide resources to the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) and other state affiliates to continue partially funding this important program of service to NEA/TEA/LEA members. The UniServ program in Tennessee grew from “a handful” of trained field staff to over two dozen highly trained professionals who work with TEA members everyday across Tennessee. The UniServ program trains field staff to work with local affiliates and members in professional development, political organizing, building local affiliate capacity, licensure issues, leadership opportunities for members, and representational guidance in employee related matters. The NEA and TEA are the only organizations in Tennessee who represent educators and educational support professionals in all aspects of their profession. TEA UniServ field staff visit schools across the state every day. UniServ work with TEA members in their home towns and schools. NEA/TEA UniServ – an important member of your local affiliate team!
What is a UniServ? Richard Lee (l), Duran Williams (c) and Ashley Nivens (r) at Halls MS visit about Legislative updates, teacher licensure changes and state salary increases.
THE ADVOCATE
WINTER EDITION 2015
“I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
Advocacy Conference —Murfreesboro, TN (l to r) Hubert Wrushen, Jennifer Owen, President Coats, Paula Hancock, Jessica Holman, TEA BOD Anthony Hancock, Connie Mitchell, VP Heather Wallace; photo bombed TEA President Barbara Gray
NEA Member Benefits School Visit Carolyn McClain Johnson and President Tanya T. Coats
KCEA’s Tennessee Urban Education Association Council members (l to r): Aneisha Davis, Joe Sumter, Patricia Fontenot, Connie Mitchell discuss urban school district issues from around the state with Memphis TEA UniServ, Zandra Foster
NEW COMMUNITY CLEAN UP INIATIVE By Joe Sumter, Human Relations Chair
Adrian Burnett’s Rolen Blaine is on the right track to active membership
President Coats explains licensure changes—effective September 1—to Inskip Elementary staff
Educators know that the state of the communities surrounding their schools has a direct impact on school environments. Likewise, they are all committed to making their communities the best that they can be. This is why the KCEA Human Relations Committee is excited to announce a new partnership with Keep Knoxville Beautiful (KKB). KKB is a local organization that is dedicated to its mission of making Knoxville a “clean, green, beautiful community” (keepknoxvillebeautiful.com). KCEA and KKB will be working together this spring to bring Community Clean-up Days to the areas surrounding several of our schools. The first of these will be held February 21, from 10 am until 12 pm, in the neighborhoods surrounding all three Karns’ area schools. Be on the lookout for a flyer with details. The HR committee thanks you in advance for your support. Source: http://www.keepknoxvillebeautiful.org/ about.php
KCEA 2015 Election Candidates for KCEA President Two-year Term
for KCEA President Two-year Term
Lauren Hopson
Tanya T. Coats I have been involved in Knox County Education Association activities since 1994. As the current President of the KCEA, I have worked tirelessly to serve the teachers of Knox County. I would like the opportunity to continue serving the Association in the role of KCEA President. With my experience, I can provide the kind of strong leadership needed to guide KCEA for the next two years. My experience will continue to represent KCEA as a sound, viable resource for all educators, assistants, maintenance personnel, bus drivers, and administrators. My goal is to continue to strengthen KCEA’s collaborative efforts with the Knox County School System and, more importantly, strengthen our membership. A strong membership creates a united, collective, voice. My credentials and transparency in numerous leadership roles, (including parliamentarian, financial officer, logistics coordinator, event planner, collaborator, and president) have left a trail of evidence that proves I am well-prepared to be captain of the KCEA ship. I am a creative and hard-working advocate for public education. I will continue to be an effective listener and a collaborative learner, who is always prepared for a challenge. Therefore, I would appreciate your vote of confidence to re-elect me, KCEA President . “Know that ‘COATS’ has you covered!” EXPERIENCE: 2012 - Present
KCEA President
2010 - Present
KC-PACE
2011 –2013
TEA Board of Directors - District 4
2009- 2011
TEA Black Classroom Teacher at-Large to the TEA Board of Directors
2010 - 2013
KCEA Treasurer
2010 - 2013
Human Relations Committee
2011 - 2012
KCEA Elections Committee
2000 - Present
TEA Representative Assembly Delegate
2000 - 2010
Building Representative: Lonsdale Elem., Green Magnet, and Bearden Elem.
2007 - 2009
KCEA Minority-at-Large
I have been a teacher at Halls Elementary for 14 years, and was chosen as a teacher of the year for HES for both the 2013 and 2015 school years. During the last year, as a founding member of the group, SPEAK, I actively advocated for students and teachers by speaking to community groups such as the Cleveland Educators Association, the Knoxville Kiwanis Club, and TN legislators in Nashville, last spring. I have also been able to communicate these issues on a national level by being a guest speaker on “The War Report,” an educational radio show, and by demonstrating with teachers across the nation at the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., last July I will work hard to make sure our issues are heard and I would appreciate your vote for KCEA President.
EXPERIENCE: 2014
TEA Summer Leadership Academy
2013 - 2014
Teacher Advisory Council for Knox Co. Schools
2013, 2014
TEA Representative Assembly Delegate
2013 - 2014
KC-PACE
2007 - Present
Halls Elementary Representative
2001 - Present
KCEA Member
———————for Special Schools Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term Connie Mitchell Connie is a Special Education teacher at Fort Sanders and has served KCEA in several capacities. She is currently the Special Schools Representative and has served on the Membership Committee and the Professional Educator’s Collaborative Conferencing Team, Advocacy Committee, Hospitality Committee, and Instructional Professional Development Committee. Connie has represented KCEA as a Delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly and the NEA Representative Assembly and looks forward to the opportunity to continue serving as the Special Schools Representative.
for KCEA Vice-President Two-year Term
for KCEA Vice-President Two-year Term
Amy Cate
Heather Wallace
Amy Cate is a lifelong resident of Knox County and attended Knoxville City Schools (McCampbell, Whittle Springs, and Fulton High School graduate). She Earned a BS from the University of Tennessee, in 1977, in Elementary Education and Vocational Home Economics and an M.Ed from Grand Canyon University in 2011, in Educational Leadership. She also has experience in sales and management in private sector in publishing, legal, insurance, and non-profit industries (Interviewed, hired, trained and terminated employees as manager to a team of sales people which included a 3 state region). EXPERIENCE 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 - Present 2012 - 2014 2007 - 2012 1997 - 1992
Delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly TEA Leadership Training Conference Guest on “The War Report” for Educational Activism Campaigned for pro-public education candidates running for public office Dogwood Elementary, 3rd grade Pleasant Ridge Elementary, 1st & 2nd grade Sarah Moore Green, 2nd grade Whittle Springs Middle, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Dept. Chair
NEA, TEA, KCEA member throughout entire 21 years in education KCEA Building Rep in early teaching career A Founding Member of SPEAK Frequent BOE attendee Met frequently with local & state elected officials to discuss concerns/ needs of public education Attended TEA in March to lobby the legislature March 2014 Attended Pro Public Educational Rally in DC in July 2014 on the Department of Education with concerned parents and teachers from Knoxville and other parts of the USA who were from other grassroots activism groups
———————for KCEA Secretary Two-year Term Judy A. Barnes Judy Barnes is running for Secretary of KCEA. She has taught special education in Knox County Schools for the past 18 years. She was a member of STEA while working toward her B.S. & M.S. in Special Education from the University of Tennessee. She has been a member of KCEA, TEA, & NEA since 1992. Judy has been an AR for most of that time, attending numerous TEA & NEA Representative Assemblies. In addition to serving on the Executive Board as Elementary School Representative and as Secretary, she has been a member of many KCEA committees and has chaired the County Commission Contact Team and Membership Committees. Judy would like to continue to serve in the role of Secretary and respectfully asks for your support.
Heather Wallace is a 5th grade teacher at Belle Morris Elementary School. She taught 2nd grade for nine years at Lonsdale and 5th grade at Lonsdale, prior to that. Heather also taught 5th grade for a year at Karns Intermediate, and high school English and Journalism for a year, at Union County High School. Heather has been a member of the Association since her undergraduate work at Lincoln Memorial University, where she completed a B.S. in Liberal Arts & Human Development with K8 licensure. After several years teaching, Heather went back to school to obtain her M.A. in Administration & Supervision from TN Technological University. Within the KCEA, Heather has been on various committees and has held several offices. Heather has also served on TEA’s Instruction and Professional Development Commission, Credentials Committee, and is currently on the Educator Advocacy Committee. Please vote for Heather Wallace for Vice-President of the KCEA. EXPERIENCE: 2013 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2012 - Present 2011 - Present 2010 - Present 2009 - Present 2009 - Present 2007 - Present 2010 - 2012 2002 - 2014
Legislative Contact Team KCEA’s PECCA Team KCEA Vice President KC-Pace Chair Personnel Committee Membership Committee Public Relations Committee Technology Committee Delegate to the NEA Representative Assembly KCEA Finance Committee TEA Instructional Professional Dev. Commission KC-PACE member Delegate to the TEA Representative Assembly KCEA Board - Elementary Representative Lonsdale Elementary Building Representative ———————-
for KCEA Secretary Two-year Term Linda Holtzclaw I have been a teacher in Knox County for 31 years. Since 1997, I have taught 7th grade math at South-Doyle Middle School. I graduated from UT Knoxville with a BS in Elementary Education and got my MS in Administration and Supervision from Lincoln Memorial University. I have served as grade level chair, department chair, and as a delegate to the TEA convention. I am a member of KCEA, TEA, and NEA. I am also a member of SPEAK, a group that was formed last year by parents, teachers, and concerned community members, over the current state of education. I am a lifelong resident of Knoxville, have been married for 31 years, and have three children.
for Elementary Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
for Middle School Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
Ashley Anthony
Jessica McDonald
A teacher at Green Magnet STEAM Academy for eight years, I have been a third grade teacher for five years and currently I am a second grade teacher (three years). I am the AR in my building and I am currently serving on the KCEA Executive Board in the Elementary seat. I am also currently serving on the Minority Affairs Committee, Ed Summer Committee, and KCEA Membership Committee. I served on the Club 30 Committee in 2013-2014
——————— for Elementary Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term Patricia Fontenot Hello, my name is Patricia Fontenot, but most people know me as “Pat”. I have taught in Knox County since 1993; this will be my 21st year. I have taught at the Middle School level for 8 years at Vine Middle Magnet School, and 13 years at Belle Morris Elementary School, both assignments in Physical Education. I am a Knoxville native, having attended Cedar Bluff Schools and Farragut High School. My son is a 2010 graduate of Bearden High School. I have served as the Belle Morris Association Representative for 8 years. This past summer, I attended the Education Summer activist training, where I feel I found my voice to speak out for you, the Association members. I am currently serving on the membership committee, and am looking forward to serving in any other way that I can.
Jessica McDonald has dedicated her life to teaching and advocating for students who often face some of our society’s most insurmountable challenges. Her teaching career began 12 years ago in Pensacola, Florida, where she gained experience teaching a variety of subjects and grade-levels: English, American history, world geography, and mathematics to students in 7th through 11th grades. During her second year teaching, she was awarded Wal-Mart’s “Good Works Teacher of the Year” after being nominated by her students at Brownsville Arts and Sciences Academy. By the time she relocated to Knoxville in 2006, Jessica had embraced her true passion for teaching mathematics. She has since taught 7th grade math at Whittle Springs Middle School and Karns Middle School, before being offered the opportunity to return to her urban roots. She now teaches 8th grade math and Algebra at Vine Middle Magnet School, and she strives to improve opportunities for her students by advocating on their behalf during school, district, and state committee work.
——————— for Middle School Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
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Mark Taylor
Born in the mountain region of upstate New York, East Tennessee has been my home for the past 20 years. My husband and I live in the city, close to downtown, which has been the reason behind my teaching choices in Knox County. I have been with Knox County schools for 15 years, most of which have been in our Urban Schools. During my tenure, I have taught grades K-4. Inskip Elementary has been my home for the past 9 years. KCEA has been my choice for representation for 15 years, for the past two as a representative at Inskip. I have always been an active member by joining meetings and voting when needed. In the near future, the challenge of returning to school to earn a PhD is anticipated, with which I hope to prepare the next generation of teachers.
I have been a KCS teacher for 7 years. My first year with KCS was at West Valley Middle School and since then I have been at Farragut Middle School. I currently teach 8th grade science, as well as High School Physical Science to 8th grade students. I am currently a member of the FMS Leadership Team and have served on that team for the last several years. I was chosen as the teacher of the year last year by the teachers of FMS. I am the current KCEA Building Representative for FMS and have served in that role for the past 3 years. I have been actively and aggressively lobbying and fighting for what is best for the students and teachers of Knox County. I refuse to put anything before what is in my students’ best interest. The current policies and direction KCS is moving in is forcing teachers to not act in the best interest of the students of Knox County, and I desire the opportunity to serve on the KCEA board to fight to reverse these trends that are hurting our students and our profession.
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for Elementary Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term Anne Lefler
for Elementary Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
for Middle School Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
*Bio not submitted
*Bio not submitted
Mavis Foster, Tiffany Holmes, Shirley James
Michael Weininger
for High School Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
for ESP Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term
Julie Smalling
Joe Sumter
Julie Smalling, has been teaching Chemistry, Honors Chemistry 2 and AP Chemistry at Bearden High School for the last 10 of her 11 years teaching. She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, earning a degree in Microbiology. She has earned two Masters from East Tennessee State University, one in Environmental Health and the other in Teaching. Prior to teaching, Mrs. Smalling was an Environmental Manager for North American Rayon in Elizabethton, Tennessee. She also worked for the Health Department in Alexandria, Virginia. Mrs. Smalling has four children, all attended or are attending the Knox County Schools.
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Joe Sumter is the Library Assistant at Fulton High School. He is also the National Honor Society cosponsor, Classified Representative on the Fulton Leadership Team, and cafeteria monitor extraordinaire. In his short time at Fulton, he has been elected to be one of their KCEA Association Representatives, in addition to being appointed as the interim ESP representative on the KCEA Executive Board (taking over upon the retirement of the previous ESP Representative). His passion for making a difference, and his drive to move this community forward, are evident to those who meet him. In six months on the Executive Board, he has been hard at work trying to boost membership and is in the process of setting up an event specifically for the Education Support Professionals (ESPs) of Knox County. He is also working hard to navigate the altruistic endeavors of the Association, as its Human Relations Committee Chair. Given a chance at a real term in office, one can be sure that Joe would give nothing but his all for the Association and help make it the best association it can be.
for High School Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term * Bio not submitted Lisa Thomas
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The following are candidates for KC-PACE:
KC-PACE District 1
KC-PACE District 2
Jessica McDonald
Charles Coffelt
Yvonne Wilson
Aneisha Davis Patricia Fontenot
for ESP Representative to the Executive Board Three-year Term Lola H. Allen Hello, I’m Lola H. Allen, a native of Birmingham, Alabama and have been in Knoxville for 15 years and am the youngest of four girls. I have been married for 12 years and have one daughter. I have a B.S. in General Business and Merchandising, with a minor in Early Childhood Development from Alabama A&M University. I have worked for Knox County Schools for 11 years in Special Education and I’m in my first year as KCEA Building Representative for Beaumont Magnet Academy. I have been a member of the Project Grad Parent Trustee Board, Volunteer for the American Cancer Society, Buddy’s Race for a Cure, the Rescue Mission, and Operation Christmas Child, as well as a youth leader and usher at Children of God Ministries Church of God in Christ.
KC-PACE District 3
KC-PACE District 4
Anthony Hancock
OPEN
Beth Norton KC-PACE District 5
KC-PACE District 6
Mark Taylor
Sherry J. Morgan
KC-PACE District 7
KC-PACE District 8
Judy Barnes
Lisa Thomas
KC-PACE District 9
KC-PACE At-Large
Evelyn Gill
Seat
Dave Gorman
Trish Russell Joe Sumter Heather Wallace
THE ADVOCATE
KCEA Vice President Heather Wallace (l) and Representative Eddie Smith (r) working to form an alliance. Before the 109th Tennessee Legislative Session begins, Rep. Smith should be well informed .
(l to r) Rep. Roger Kane, Sen. Becky Massey Duncan, Dr. Judith Hiscock, President Tanya T. Coats, Matt McWhirter participated in the KCEA Legislative Round Table discussion.
WINTER EDITION 2015
President Tanya T. Coats visits Ritta Elementary School during their unencumbered lunch break. Megan Blevins studies the Legislative wins and salary request
(l to r) Chad Negendank, Rep. Harry Brooks, Rep. Bill Dunn, Rep. Ryan Haynes, Vice President Heather Wallace, Rep. Martin Daniel and Sen. Richard Briggs took time to talk with teachers in 2014.
TEA 4th District Board Member Anthony Hancock hosts KCEA’s first monthly Community Conversation on Education.
Jeanette Casteel (2nd from left), Gussie Cherry (3rd from left) , KCEA retirees, visited Austin East HS to as part of the KCEA/NEA Membership Recruitment Grant. Principal Benny Perry (far right) welcomed our visit along with Malaika Guthrie (far left)
Tennessee Urban Education Association Council (TUEAC) President, Ernestine King, shares her vision with KCEA & TEA.
“People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don't know each other; they don't know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
GET TO KNOW KCEA!
THE ADVOCATE
WINTER EDITION 2015
MONTHLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS
Calendar of Upcoming Events
2nd Mondays KCEA Executive Board 4:30 PM 3rd Thursdays Minority Affairs Meeting 4:30 PM 4th Mondays KCEA Representative Assembly (RA) 4:30 PM
February 4 Board of Education (BOE) Meeting, City County Building at 5:00 PM
4th Tuesdays Bring a Buddy to Buddy’s BBQ 4:30 PM 4th Thursdays KCEA Community Conversations 4:30 PM
February 9 KCEA Executive Board Meeting at 4:30 PM
2014 Legislative WINS SB1856 / HB1381 SB2257 / HB2121 SB2342 / HB2264 SB2240 / HB1375 SB1786 / HB1654 SB1813 / HB1758
SB1863 / HB2082
SB2250 / HB2108
SB2277 / HB1894
SB1684 / HB1693 SB2338 / HB1959
February 19 Minority Affairs Meeting at KCEA Bldg. at 4:30 PM
Permissively restore a salary schedule for teachers that values years of service and educational training Specifies for teachers, a duty-free time for instructional planning on an individual basis Prohibits aligning classroom observation evaluations with TVAAS data Prohibits using student growth data to non-renew or revoke an educator’s license Requires an LEA to send a transferring student’s records, including disciplinary records, to the LEA to which the student is being transferred Permits teachers who received an evaluation demonstrating an overall performance effectiveness level of “significantly above expectations” on each of their 3 evaluations to petition the commissioner of education for a waiver of any requirement for the renewal of their licenses Requires a student to have been present for 150 days of classroom instruction per year or 75 days of classroom instruction in a block schedule before that student’s record may be attributed to a specific teacher for evaluation purposes Allows the teacher, or principal, being evaluated to select the 15% student achievement measures of their evaluations – when a mutually agreed upon measure cannot be attained Clarifies that $100 out of the $200 instructional money given to the teachers should be available by August 1, and can be spent any time during the school year on instructional supplies Good Defeats Would have allowed Charter schools to contract with for-profit managers or operators Would have allowed 51% of a school’s parents to petition to take over a school – Parent Trigger bill
To become a member and support public education issues: Contact your building’s Association Representative (AR) or The KCEA Office
The Advocate
Contact KCEA
is published by the Knox County Education Association.
2411 Magnolia Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
Please direct questions & comments to:
Trish Russell, Editor russelltrish@yahoo.com
Office: 865.522.9793 Cell: 865.660.0822 Fax: 865.522.9866 kceaintouch@bellsouth.net
January 27 KCEA’s BRING A BUDDY TO BUDDY’S BBQ Location: Buddy’s BBQ at Gallaher Road 4:30-6:30 PM (By invitation only)
February 23 KCEA RA at 4:30 PM February 24 KCEA’s BRING A BUDDY TO BUDDY’S BBQ Location: Buddy’s BBQ at Broadway 4:30-6:30 PM (By invitation only) March 2 READ ACROSS AMERICA DAY March 4 BOE Meeting, City County Building at 5:00 PM March 9 KCEA Executive Board Meeting at 4:30 PM March 16-20 (Monday - Friday) Spring Break Office closed March 23 KCEA RA at 4:30 PM March 24 KCEA’s BRING A BUDDY TO BUDDY’S BBQ Location: Buddy’s BBQ at Chapman Hwy 4:30-6:30 PM (By invitation only) March 28 Teacher Supply Depot 7AM-12 Noon
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Our Mission To promote quality education in Knox County, the Knox County Education Association will provide a support system that guarantees the opportunity for professional growth, secures and improves benefits, and protects the rights of educators of Knox County.