Letter From The Editor
Welcome! Whether you are new to the profession,
new to Tennessee, or a seasoned TN educator
new to the association, we want to ensure that
you have the information, tools, and support you
need to excel. We take seriously your decision to
join an independent education association, and
we strive to show our appreciation for educators
and their service to students by providing the
same dedication to service to our members.
We have created this special issue of TREND as a
Welcome Guide for our members that can serve as
an ongoing reference regarding your membership
and education in TN in general. We will update
it each year so that this becomes a sort of living
document with the most current information.
Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with
the following pages so that you can reference
them as needed. The online edition includes
many links to additional information and source
material from our various mediums and platforms,
including our website, blog, and social media.
Videos can be played directly on screen, and there
are many more available on our YouTube channel.
Membership is the heart of what we do, and
Members are the organization. As statetd in
our Core Principles, we are member-governed
and member-driven - everything we do is to
serve you. Do not hesitate to reach out to us for
assistance or any time you have a question, and
we welcome your comments
& suggestions.
Thank you for all you do!
Audrey Shores, ProEd COO
TREND
The Official Publication of Professional Educators of Tennessee
JC Bowman, Executive Editor
Audrey Shores, Editor
P ro E d BOARD
S tate O fficers
C athy K olb , P resident
N atalie B each , V ice P resident
K arolyn M arino , S ecretary
K im B levins , T reasurer
B oard M embers
S tacia A nglin
M egan B enton
D ewey E squinance
H olly K esley
A ngela M arkum
P ro E d STAFF
JC B owman , E xecutive D irector
A udrey S hores , COO
M ike S heppard , A ssociate E xec . D irector
B ethany B owman
D irector of P rofessional L earning
K aren S troud
M ember S ervices C oordinator
V an -N essa H agans
M ember E ngagement C oordinator
B o C arr , M ember B enefits R epresentative
Trend (ISSN #S1) is electronically published quarterly in fall, winter,
spring and summer with a focus on the Issues, Ideas and People shap-
ing education in Tennessee. We advance the profession by offering a
modern approach to teacher representation and educational advoca-
cy, as well as promoting professionalism, collaboration and excellence
without a partisan agenda. There is no attempt to influence any political
campaign on behalf of or in opposition to candidates for public office.
The opinions expressed in this publication represent the beliefs, views or
attitudes of the contributor whose name appears in the article and do not
necessarily represent the views or policies of Professional Educators of
Tennessee or our members. Subscription rates are included in member-
ship dues for members of the association; non-members may secure an
online version of the current online magazine for $25 a year. Trend may
contain paid advertising contracted for/by the Association. Advertising
rates may be obtained by sending a written request, either to the address
listed below or by email. Professional Educators of Tennessee reserves
the right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint, in whole or in part, without permission is prohibited.
Permission will customarily be granted if the author and the association
are properly cited.