Tennessee officials announced on Tuesday the formation of a Common Core Leadership Council, giving districts a voice in the statewide transition to Common Core State Standards. The Leadership Council will advise the department on the Common Core transition plan and directly lead and manage all aspects of the work.
13 directors, supervisors and an assistant principal from across the state will advise department officials on formal and informal assessments and professional development resources; shape the framework for all Common Core pilot programs; and become regional experts and leaders in the importance and concrete expectations of the standards. They also will be tasked with the selection and training of exemplary educators, who will facilitate summer training on Common Core implementation in July.
“The transition to Common Core State Standards represents a tremendous opportunity to ensure every child finishes high school college- and career-ready. It is a significant undertaking and a project that can support educators across the state,” said Emily Barton, the department’s assistant commissioner of curriculum and instruction. “We have a rich pool of talented teachers and leaders to help us make this work in Tennessee, and we look forward to working together during this important time of transition.”
The Common Core Leadership Council includes:
Susie Bunch, director of schools
Lexington City
John Prince, math instructional coach
Trenton Special School District
Sharon Cooksey, facilitator for curriculum and professional learning
Franklin Special School District
Tammy Shelton, supervisor of instruction
Lincoln County
Bobby Cox, assistant director for teaching and learning
Warren County
Sharon Harper, director of research and evaluation
Bradley County
Millicent Smith, director of professional development and social studies supervisor; and Theresa Nixon, science supervisor
Knox County
Vicki Kirk, director of schools
Greene County
Linda Kennard, director of curriculum and instruction; and David Stephens, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction
Memphis City Schools; Shelby County Schools
Jared Myracle, assistant principal, Gibson County High School
Gibson County
Jeanne Ray, associate director of learning
Lebanon Special School District
Leadership Council member Vicki Kirk, director of schools in Greene County, said she looked forward to participating in the Leadership Council. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for me and for Greene County to be involved in this,” she said. “The transition to Common Core standards is vitally important for our children, and I’m eager to get to work.”
Common Core State Standards are a rigorous set of internationally benchmarked standards that require from students a deeper level of critical thinking. 46 states have agreed to implement these standards, which will give the nation an opportunity to compare progress among students from Tennessee to Florida to Massachusetts.
For more information, contact Kelli Gauthier at 615 532-7817 or Kelli.Gauthier@tn.gov.