The Tennessee Department of Education announced Tuesday the five educators selected to participate in the Tennessee Education Leaders Summer Fellowship to support the Best for All strategic plan and provide critical perspective as the department supports districts and educators navigating the COVID-19 reality.
“Teacher leadership is critical, especially as we work together to address the challenges presented by COVID-19, and we are excited to welcome these five outstanding individuals to the department this summer,” said Commissioner Penny Schwinn.
The five teacher fellows are:
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Laura Cassetty, kindergarten teacher at Westmoreland Elementary School, Sumner County Schools, will be working with the Educator Effectiveness Team.
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Raven Redmond, 5th grade lead teacher/3-5 math content lead at Memphis Delta Preparatory Charter School, Shelby County Schools, will be working with the Standards & Materials Division.
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Lauryn England, 2nd grade teacher at Fall-Hamilton Elementary School, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, will be working with the Human Capital Division.
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Ashly Ray-Fournier, professor of English, journalism, and creative writing at City University School, Shelby County Schools, will be working with the CCTE Division.
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Stacy Jones, 10th-12th grade English teacher at McNairy Central High School, McNairy County Schools, will be working with the Standards & Materials Division.
Beginning June 1, the fellows will be working with divisions within the department over the next eight weeks to directly impact the work of the Best for All strategic plan, build relationships with key leaders and participate in professional development, while helping prepare for and address the unique challenges presented by COVID-19.
“As a kindergarten teacher, I am excited for this fellowship because it will allow me to learn even more of the growth portfolio process, an important tool for measuring the growth of our students,” said Ms.
Cassetty. “Kindergarteners grow so much academically, and I'm excited to learn more about presenting that growth in the portfolio.”
Through a "rigorous" application and interview process, which took place this March, the five fellows were selected from an applicant pool of 160 individuals based on their unique skillsets and expertise. The fellows will each receive a stipend and be provided technology and other tools during the eight-week fellowship.
“I am honored to be selected for the Tennessee Education Leaders Summer Fellowship. The Best for All Initiative provides more opportunities for all students to be successful and I am looking forward to working on and implementing these strategies,” said Ms. Redmond. “This fellowship is an opportunity to learn new skills and develop my teaching, which will have a positive impact on my students.”
This is the second year of the Tennessee Education Leaders Summer Fellowship.