After a competitive application process, 22 teachers from 16 Hamilton County public schools had their ideas selected for inclusion in the Teacherpreneur Incubator. They will spend this weekend at an intensive 48Hour Launch, culminating in a public Pitch Night. The community is invited to hear these pitches and celebrate this group of educators on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Granfalloon, 400 E. Main St. General admission is free, but audience members must register online at
teacherpreneurcha.com, as space is limited.
"The Teacherpreneur Incubator is a truly unique leadership initiative offering educators the support, time, and space to launch big ideas in the best interests of our students, schools, communities and the teaching profession.
PEF and the Hamilton County Department of Education are collaborating with the Benwood Foundation, the Footprint Foundation and CO.LAB, with additional support from Locals Only Merch and the Chambliss Startup Group, on this innovative approach to engaging and empowering area teachers," officials said.
In May, HCDE teachers submitted almost 40 proposals to the Teacherpreneur Incubator. Those proposals were narrowed to the 17 teams who will enter the Teacherpreneur 48Hour Launch, where educators will receive feedback, support, and encouragement from entrepreneurs, mentors, and community members throughout the weekend. The 48Hour Launch will be hosted at the Edney Innovation Center. Volunteers are welcome to attend.
On Sunday the Launch culminates with educators pitching their ideas to a panel of judges at the Granfalloon. Projects will be chosen to receive funding and the on-going support to take ideas from concept to classroom; in addition, the top three project teams will receive prize money, as will a crowd-favorite voted on by the audience. VIP tickets are $25, which include reserved seating; hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be available during the event.
Michael Stone, PEF director of Innovative Learning says, “We are always blown away by the community support for Teacherpreneur – we’re lucky to work with educators like these every day, but this is an incredible opportunity for the public to see the kinds of innovative professionals we have in every school in Hamilton County. With ideas ranging from a drone-racing course to a digital badging application to a bi-lingual guide to elementary math, we’re excited to see this year’s cohort take the stage.”
This year’s Teacherpreneur competitors include: Beth Wilson (Red Bank Elementary); Chris Cooper (Ooltewah Middle); Colby Williams (East Hamilton Middle High); Dan Basler (Lookout Valley Middle High); Danielle Morgan Hooper (Central High); Marie Dean (Brainerd High); Lisa Blakely (Big Ridge Elementary) and Genise Fletcher (Tyner Academy), Magan Lampard (Wolftever Creek Elementary) and Sue Williamson (STEM School Chattanooga); Mary Manning, Drew Akins and James Stone (Red Bank High); Matthew Craig (Red Bank Middle and High School); Mendi Catlett (Harrison Elementary); Olivia Bagby (Red Bank High); Sara Durst (East Lake Elementary); Sara Southard (Harrison Elementary); Shannon Seigle (STEM School Chattanooga); Shela Brazeale and Jim Snyder (Central High); and Tara Tharp (Signal Mountain Middle High).