Letter From The Editor
The progress of this issue has mirrored what is happening
across the globe right now, as plans, activities, and agendas
in every sphere are being interrupted by the COVID-19
pandemic. Our Spring issue traditionally covers and focuses
on the results of the current legislative session and highlights
key bills related to public education. We were working
diligently at the State Capitol on legislation to address
student discipline and literacy in early grades, as well as
ensuring that teachers would receive raises again this year.
However, most of that has been put on hold and the
Tennessee General Assembly worked quickly to pass a limtied
budget and some protections for students and educators
before recessing until the public health crisis has eased. In
the meantime, read up on some of the education issues
and bills that will be taken up again when the legislature
reconvenes this summer, followed by a section on The
Impact of Coronavirus on Public Education.
One of the biggest impacts that the coronavirus pandemic
is having on the association right now is casting uncertainty
over our annual Leader U Professional Development
conference. Scheduled for June 15 at Middle Tennessee
State University, this year’s theme is Envisioning the Future
and will once again bring education leaders from across
the state to share their insights and expertise. While we are
preparing for cancellation of the on-site conference, rest
assured that we will still do our best to record each planned
session to be shared on your Leader U Online Professional
Learning Portal.
Another topic that we look at in this issue is the teacher
recruitment crisis we face in our state. The increase of
problematic student behavior and poor school culture are
often cited as reasons that teachers leave the profession, and
are certainly factors in the difficulty of attracting new talent.
If there is a bright spot in all of the impact of the pandemic
on education, it may be that more people are recognizing
the value of our educators and the public education system
you represent as a whole.
You are the heart of our organization and our society. We
know that you will weather
this storm with resilience and
continue to be sought out as
leaders in your community. We
wish you good health, and we
are still here for you.
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 #10) 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
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necessarily represent the views or policies of Professional Educators of
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