Letter From The Editor
It’s hard to believe we’re already a month in (or more, in
some districts) to another exciting school year! Our staff
enjoyed travelling to New Teacher Orientations and Back-
to-School in-services throughout the state. This year we
visited more districts than ever - but our small staff can’t
be everywhere, and we also depend on our amazing Local
Leaders to set up booths and speak at events. As members,
you are the best advocates for your organization. Here at
the office, we are your support staff. We encourage you to
reach out to us any time, and to become involved at the
comfort level of your choosing.
In a past issue, we featured profiles on each of the eight
frontrunner candidates in the race for Governor. With the
primaries behind us, the final vote is around the corner
this November, so we are featuring the profiles of the
two remaining candidates in this issue. As a reminder, we
never endorse or contribute your dues money to political
candidates. We do encourage you to be informed in order to
vote for the cadidate who will best represent your interests.
We are continually surprised to hear that many members,
old and new, are unaware of all the fantastic benefits
that come with membership beyond professional liability
insurance and legal protection. Perhaps the most valuable
to your profession are the Leader U Professional Learning
tools. The Online Learning Portal is available 24/7 and is
constantly being updated with new content for earning
credit, including TASL accredited classes for administrators.
Most recently, the newest classes from the 2018 conference
were added. Don’t forget to Save the Date for the next
Leader U conference on June 18, 2019!
Many members are also unaware of the plethora of savings
and benefits that come with their membership. We partner
with many local sports teams and statwide companies to
bring special savings to our members, and our partnership
with AMBA includes access to the Passport benefits portal
with savings from hundreds of retailers. Member Benefits
Representative Bo Carr and his team travel to schools
throughout the year to meet with members and discuss all
of the service s offered by AMBA.
This issue is packed with info so
I’ll let you get on with getting
to the good stuff, like Executive
Director JC Bowman’s “9 Critical
Issues for 2019” from a speech
he gave last month.
Thank you for all that you do.
Audrey Shores, ProEd COO
TREND
The Official Publication of Professional Educators of Tennessee
JC Bowman, Executive Editor
Audrey Shores, Editor
P ro E d BOARD
S tate O fficers
C athy K olb , P resident
T im C hilders , V ice P resident
K im B levins , S ecretary
K arolyn M arino , T reasurer
B oard M embers
N atalie B each
D ewey E squinance
A ngela M arkum
K aren S troud
P enny S utton
P ro E d STAFF
JC B owman , E xecutive D irector
A udrey S hores , COO
M ike S heppard , A ssociate D irector
B ethany B owman
D ir . of P rofessional L earning
K aren S troud
M ember S ervices C oordinator
B o C arr , M ember B enefits R epresentative
A shley B asak , M ember E ngagement C oordinator
Trend (ISSN #10) is electronically published quarterly in fall, winter,
spring and summer with a focus on the Issues, Ideas and People
shaping education in Tennessee. We advance the profession by of-
fering a modern approach to teacher representation and educational
advocacy, as well as promoting professionalism, collaboration and
excellence without a partisan agenda. There is no attempt to influ-
ence any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to candi-
dates for public office. The opinions expressed in this publication rep-
resent the beliefs, views or attitudes of the contributor whose name
appears in the article and do not necessarily represent the views or
policies of Professional Educators of Tennessee or our members.
Subscription rates are included in membership dues for members
of the association; non-members may secure an online version of
the current online magazine for $25 a year. Trend may contain paid
advertising contracted for/by the Association. Advertising rates may
be obtained by sending a written request, either to the address listed
below or by email. Professional Educators of Tennessee reserves the
right to refuse advertising contrary to its purpose. All rights reserved.
Permission to reprint, in whole or in part, without permission is pro-
hibited. Permission will customarily be granted if the author and the
association are properly cited.