Letter From The Editor
It seems that every issue of TREND gets bigger and
bigger, as we continue to strengthen relationships,
engage more of our members, and bring you new ways
to add value to your membership. Like it says on the
cover, TREND is all about the ideas, people and issues
that shape education in our state; this issue has a little
bit of everything, but it focuses heavily on the people
in education who play a strong role in influencing the
ideas and issues.
In honor of February being National Women’s History
Month, International Women’s Day in March and
Mother’s Day coming up, we have dedicated this
issue particularly to the women in key leadership
positions in state education policy. This month we
feature two great interviews, one with TN Speaker of
the House Beth Harwell and another with State Board
of Education Executive Director Sara Heyburn. Allison
Chancey, who we have interviewed in the past, writes
about the SBOE’s role in establishing high standards,
and Jill Speering from MNPS discusses her transition
from the classroom to the local board of education
and the challenges they currently face.
Our legislative priority this session was assiting our
members who helped bring the Say Dyslexia Bill to
the legislature. Recently signed into law by Governor
Haslam, it has the distinction of having unanimously
passed both the Senate and the House with bipartisan
support. We also advocated for our member’s voices
to be heard on anti-bullying and other legislation.
On the heels of the Say Dyslexia victory for children
came Autism Awareness Month in April, and we had
the pleasure of connecting with some truly inspiring
parents of autistic children here in Tennessee. These
amazing mothers have shared their stories with us
and we look forward to working with them in the
future on ways to help educators and children handle
this unique condition in the classroom.
To the tireless hardworking teachers, mothers, and
others who work of behalf of strengthening our
education system every day - thank you.
TREND
The Official Publication of Professional Educators of Tennessee
JC Bowman, Executive Editor
Audrey Shores, Editor
ProEd BOARD
State Officers
Cathy Kolb, President
Karen Stroud, Vice President
Karolyn Marino, Secretary
Tim Childers, Treasurer
Kim Blevins
Dewey Esquinance
Jill Pittman
Mike Ridenour
Penny Sutton
ProEd STAFF
JC Bowman, Executive Director
AUDREY SHORES, COO
Mike Sheppard
Director of Benefits
Bethany Bowman
Director of Professional Learning
Trend (ISSN #10) is electronically published quarterly in
fall, winter, spring and summer with a focus on the Issues,
Ideas and People shaping education in Tennessee. We
advance the profession by offering a modern approach to
teacher representation and educational advocacy, 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 membership 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.