Kathy Lennon was both my teacher and swim coach in high school. Her exceptional leadership, persistence and unwavering encouragement not only shaped me as a student-athlete but inspired me to pursue leadership myself. Through her mentorship, I learned invaluable lessons about dedication, teamwork and perseverance. Whether she was leading classroom discussions or poolside practices, she demonstrated the kind of thoughtful, principled leadership that makes a lasting impact on young people's lives.
I have a daughter in elementary school now, and I think about how fortunate I was to have such a strong mentor and leader during my teenage years. I want my daughter and every child in our community to have those same opportunities to be inspired by remarkable leaders who truly care about their development and future.
That's why it's important to me that people like Kathy continue to have opportunities to serve Chattanooga and Hamilton County. We know her, because she's served us before – as a dedicated teacher, as a terrific Hamilton County School Board member, and now as a hard-working small business owner, creating jobs throughout our community. We know what she cares about: well-funded public schools that provide our kids with the education they need to thrive. Schools where teachers have books that they need, not weapons they don't want. Schools where our kids can excel at math and reading, not active shooter drills.
As for her opponent, my take is that when it comes to understanding what our schools need, there's no substitute for having been in the classroom. Kathy doesn't need to theorize about education - she's lived it, led it, and improved it right here in Hamilton County.
For my daughter, for our schools, and for every family in District 27, I'm proud to support Kathy Lennon. Twenty years ago, she taught me what real leadership looks like. Today, as I watch her continue to serve and strengthen our community, I know she's exactly the leader we need in Nashville. From our classrooms to our Capitol, Hamilton County deserves a leader we know and trust. That's why I'm choosing Kathy Lennon.
Teal Thibaud