Tanya T. Coats – Candidate for President

Instructional Coach (CIF); Green Magnet Math & Science Academy; KCEA Executive Board Member, TEA Board of Director for East Tennessee; committee member of KCEA’s  Minority Affairs, Public Relations, Elections, KC-PACE and Human Resource. As an advocate for Knox County School Teachers, I serve as the chair of Green Magnet’s SWS Leadership Team and a commit coach to coach of the Coaches Network.  I have served as chair of TEA’s Administrative Task Force Committee and currently serve as chair of the Minority Affairs Committee.

As your current Treasurer of KCEA, I believe in being financially and physically sound.  In order to achieve this goal would take a visionary like me to reach for all the possibilities.  My goal is to strengthen KCEA’s collaborative efforts with Knox County School and more importantly strengthen our membership. “Upon verifying my credentials in numerous leadership roles which have included being a parliamentarian, financial officer, logistics coordinator, event planner, collaborator, president and an on-going list of other offices.  I have left a trail of evidence that will prove that I am well-prepared to be a captain of KCEA’s stronghold ship.  Therefore, I would appreciate your vote of confidence to represent KCEA as President.”

Evelyn Gill – Candidate for President

My name is Evelyn Gill, and I am running for KCEA President and would appreciate your support and VOTE.

I am in my 7th year as a Special Education Teacher at Carter High School. I have been actively involved with the Association since 2004, and I currently serve as High School Rep. for Carter High. My Association experience includes serving on the KCEA Executive Board, the Minority Affairs Committee, and the Sick Bank Board, and being a member of the Knox County Political Action Team for Education and G.R.E.A.T. I was the recipient of the 2007 Excellence in Teaching Award and the 2010 Community Shares “Gardener of Change” Award for Outstanding Educator.

These are challenging times, as collective bargaining is being threatened in Tennessee.  If elected KCEA President, I will work to the best of my ability on your behalf, advocating for the needs and concerns of students, teachers and administrators in Knox County, to ensure that your voice is heard.

Sherry Morgan – Candidate for President

I have been involved in association activities since 1989.  I have served as a representative for Karns Middle since 1993, KCEA secretary (1993-1997), Middle School Board member (2001-2003 and 2005-2009) and KCEA Vice-President (2009-2011). I have been chair of Human Relations (1997), Elections (2003-2008) and KC-PACE (2008 – present).  I have served on the Professional Advisory Council (1993-2002), the Legislative Committee (1993-present) and the County Commission Contact Team (1993-97 and 2007-2009).  I have been a TEA delegate since 1993.

At the state level, I have worked with Communications, Legislative Editing and the Grassroots Cadre.   I have had the pleasure of addressing the Tennessee Legislature’s Education Oversight Committee on medicine and medical procedures affecting teachers and staff.  I have attended several TEA Leadership schools.   I have been a delegate to NEA since 2005.

I am currently a legislative contact team member for Rep. Steve Hall and have worked with all our incumbent legislators and current county mayor. As your president, I will recruit new members, as well as listen to and on act on the concerns of our members.

Anthony Hancock – Candidate for Vice President

Anthony Hancock is a Comprehensive Development Classroom (CDC) teacher at Bearden Middle School where he serves special needs students. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, and his teaching certification from the University of Tennessee; and is currently working toward his Masters in Theology from Covington Theological Seminary.

Anthony is involved with several committees within the Tennessee Education Association (TEA) such as Minority Affairs, New Teachers, and Resolutions committee. He is also involved with the Knox County Education Association (KCEA) serving on the Minority Affairs committee, and as his school’s Representative Associate. He is a member of Foster Chapel Baptist Church where he serves as a Deacon.

Trish Russell – Candidate for Vice President

My name is Patricia “Trish” Homer Russell and I am your candidate for the KCEA office of vice-president. I was born and raised here.  I have been a Knox County educator for 20 years.  I have worked as a teacher’s assistant, taught high schoolers and middle schoolers, and fellow teachers.  I am now a behavior liaison and have the great pleasure of traveling to thirteen different elementary schools.  I also teach teenagers in the night alternative program.

I have one profession, one church, two dogs, three cats, two daughters, one son-in-law, two grandchildren, and thankfully, only one husband.  I love them all, not necessarily in that order.  Just depends.  I appreciate your consideration.

Lisa Thomas – Candidate for Vice President

My name is Lisa Thomas, and I am running for KCEA Vice President.I have been a member of KCEA for 7 years, an Association Representative for 5 years, and High School Representative on the Board for 1 year. I have been a special educator for 7 years; before that I worked at a non-profit.

I am VERY passionate about teaching children, all children, but I am, also, very passionate about TEACHERS!!!  I ask you to vote for me.  We need passionate leaders in this changing educational environment, and I will be the best leader I know how to be!

Jennifer Owen – Candidate for Secretary

As KCEA Secretary, my goal has been to clearly document the work of the Executive Board and Representative Assembly  so that the minutes may serve as a guide to the executive board in carrying out the directives of the membership. This year, I have begun regular visits to our Representatives at the State Capitol. When communicating our concerns, I let them know that I am a teacher, first and foremost. While serving my Association, I believe in seeking and sharing accurate information that concerns all professional educators.

Brad Corrum – Candidate for Administrator at Large

I have worked for the Knox County School System for the past 13 years: first, as a social studies teacher at Karns High School and for the past 7 years as an administrator. I am currently an assistant principal at West Valley Middle School.

My reasons for seeking this office are many.  I believe, first and foremost, that teachers and administrators will need strong leadership and guidance through the coming changes associated with the “Race to the Top” legislation.

As a teacher and administrator, I feel I have always been a voice for strong educational leadership and fair accountability for classroom teachers.  As a member of the  KCEA Executive Board, I will have the opportunity to play an active role in the facilitation of better administrator-teacher relationships during this period of transition for our system and state.

Jason Gullege – Candidate for High School Representative

Jason Gulledge has been a math teacher at Austin-East High School for three years, where he has been serving as his building level representative for the past year. He has been a member of TEA and NEA since 2000, when he was working on his M.Ed. at The University of Tennessee at Martin.

While this will be his first venture into elected office, he is looking forward to the task of serving and leading KCEA and its members into the future as one of the High School Representatives.

Tiffany Watkins – Candidate for Elementary Representative

Tiffany is a first grade teacher at Hardin Valley Academy.

Sherry Hensley – Candidate for Minority at Large

Sherry is the principal at Green Elementary School.

Kayla Montgomery
 – Candidate for Minority at Large

I am a proud member of the KCEA, TEA, and NEA.  I serve as the chair for the Minority Affairs Committee and have been for three consecutive years.  Prior to chairing that committee I was an active member of the association with no real role just attending meetings making sure that I “Work With My Association as My Association Works for Me.”

I want to continue working but this time in the capacity of Ethnic/Minority Member at Large.  With zeal and resilience I am committed to serving in that new capacity with your votes. Thank you.