State Board Of Education Announces Educator Advisory Team To Review Current English Language Arts Standards
Today, the State Board of Education announced the selection of its 21-member Educator Advisory Team (EAT) to review Tennessee’s current English Language Arts standards. The members were selected from 297 applications, the highest number the State Board office has received, and will utilize comments based on our public feedback survey and their personal experience as distinguished educators.
The EAT members are as follows:
· Tiana Hubbard, Cleveland City Schools
· Meredith McMackins, Dyer County Schools
· Karen Sewell, Freed-Hardeman University
· Nicolle Moore, Greeneville City Schools
· Leigh Ann Potter, Hamilton County Schools
· Riley Brewer, Knox County Schools
· Amanda Boyd, Lenoir City Schools
· Rachel Peay Cornett, Lipscomb University
· Tammy Marlow, Macon County Schools
· Benita Villines, Marshall County Schools
· Nathan Harmon, Meigs County Schools
· Josef Woody, Memphis Shelby County Schools
· Samantha Singer, Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
· Jeni Moore, Milan Area Schools
· Brytany Stewart, Milan Area Schools
· Courtney Gray, Monroe County Schools
· Diana Cook, Putnam County Schools
· Mandy Smith, Rutherford County Schools
· Luke Anderson, Tennessee Tech University
· Trent Smith, University Schools
· Leticia Skae-Jackson, Williamson County Schools
The EAT is separated into committees based on grade bands (i.e., K-5, 6-8, & 9-12) with six current Tennessee K-12 educators and one higher education professional per committee. Each committee is led by a chair and vice-chair who facilitate revision discussions, track all edits, and ultimately serve on the Standards Development Committee in December 2024.
The EAT in-person working sessions will be held November 4-8th, 2024 at the State Board of Education office at 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville, TN 37243. Working sessions are open to the public to view. Please notify Catherine Johnson, catherine.ann.johnson@tn.gov if you plan to attend the working session in-person.
Under Tennessee statute (T.C.A. § 49-1-311-313) and State Board Policy (Standards Review Policy 3.209), the State Board of Education is charged with reviewing and approving the English Language Arts (ELA), math, science, and social studies standards at least every eight years. Each standards review process follows the same almost two-year rigorous, legislatively mandated process to promote collaboration and transparency. This process entails significant public feedback and coordination across educators, state government, and appointed representatives.