Local boards of education learned about the changing landscape of education advocacy, heard updates on education legislation, and were provided with an update on student First Amendment issues and Limited Public Forums at the Tennessee School Boards Association’s Southeast Fall District Meeting, held Sept. 4 at Rhea County High School in Rhea County. The evening also consisted of board members earning honors for their professional development activities and recognizing a dedicated school volunteer and an outstanding student.
The Southeast District meeting was one of nine similar sessions held annually in each of TSBA’s development districts. The evening’s program also included an overview of the State Department of Education CORE Offices. Board members participated in a legislative survey with their electronic devices via an online/SMS texting program.
Area Student Honored
Each year TSBA honors one student from each of its nine districts who has achieved distinction in the areas of academics, community leadership, and engagement as part of its Student Recognition Award program. One of those nine students will win the statewide Student Recognition Award to be presented at the TSBA Annual Convention in November, which will include a $2,000 scholarship. The 2014 Southeast District winner is Josh Knight of McMinn County Schools. Currently a senior at McMinn Central High School, Josh has maintained a 3.95 grade point average while actively participating and volunteering in his community. He has been involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and in 2013 he was chosen to represent McMinn Central High School at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. Josh helped establish the Speak Up Club, a group that performs random acts of kindness, at his school in 2013 and has been the President since the group’s development. In addition to his academic success and achievements, Josh is an active volunteer in his community. He has been a part of a local missions program at his church called Missions Possible since it started in 2007, is a Bible School Teacher each summer, and has played an active role in providing services for children in his and other local churches over the last six years through a program called Children’s Church and Puppet Ministry. Josh has been actively involved in helping special needs students since middle school and has become a volunteer for the local Special Olympics through his high school football team. He also volunteered to help coach several youth basketball teams. This past summer, Josh helped plan games and activities for the first Summer Day Camp program at his church for children ages 5-13.
Area School Volunteer Honored
Each year TSBA honors one school volunteer from each of its nine districts who have distinguished themselves by demonstrating exceptional commitment to volunteerism in a local school district. The district winner has exhibited exemplary leadership, creativity, cooperation and hard work in their service to a school. One of those nine volunteers will win the statewide School Volunteer Recognition Award to be presented at the TSBA Annual Convention in November, which will include a $1,000 grant to the school of their choice. The 2014 Southeast School Volunteer Recognition Award winner is Moises Contreras of McMinn County. Mr. Contreras and his wife are the owners of Tiger-Rock Martial arts, and he has been a volunteer with McMinn County Schools since 2012. Each week he spends his time at 4 different elementary schools in McMinn County by teaching Tae Kwon Do as a part of the Physical Education Program. This program prepares students through the responsibilities of citizenship while also providing the knowledge to learn self-defense techniques, leadership, responsibility, courage, fairness, integrity, and perseverance. Students also learn discipline and respect while incorporating the physical activity with the sport. "Mr. Contreras’ caring attitude and superior knowledge of Tae Kwon Do makes him extremely effective with students of all levels and abilities. He works with students in kindergarten through 8th grade, and they look forward to the sessions each week. Mr. Contreras is a very humble person who has never asked for anything in return for his services. He only wishes to continue serving his community and have this opportunity to place a positive impact on the students in McMinn County," officials stated.
Area Board Members Earn Honors
Several Southeast District school board members earned TSBA Boardsmanship Awards in 2014. The awards are presented to individual board members who have achieved one of five levels of boardsmanship standards over the past year. The program is designed to recognize school board members for participation in board activities beyond the local level through a commitment to training, willingness to participate in workshops and a volunteer spirit. The Boardsmanship Award honors not only the quantity, but also the quality of participation. Levels I-IV are given at Fall District Meetings, while Level V Boardsmanship is awarded at the association’s annual convention in November. Southeast District board members who were honored for their achievements this year were:
Level I
George Meacham, Cleveland City Schools
Donna Horn, Hamilton County
Level II
Vicki Beaty, Bradley County
Rodney Dillard, Bradley County
Johnna Hampton, McMinn County
Level III
Chris Adams, Athens City Schools
James Ryan Phillips, Marion County
Ross Irwin, Meigs County
Chip Pendergrass, Rhea County
Level IV
Pall Hill, Rhea County
Steve Harmon, Sequatchie County