Tennessssee ACEI Classroom Teacher Excellence Award

West Tennessee
Infant/Toddler	Jan Greer Emmanuel Methodist 2404 Kirby Rd. Memphis, TN 38119-6606 901-754-3607	Jan Greer is an Infant, Toddler lead teacher at Emmanuel United Methodist Kindergarten, NAEYC accredited and 3-Star rated. Jan has been the lead teacher of the Infant Toddler section at Emmanuel for two years. She had also been the Nursery coordinator for Emmanuel church. Jan has her bachelor degree in education and is a licensed teacher in Tennessee. Prior to employment with Emmanuel, Jan had experience in a variety of educational settings, including middle school, summer camps, third grade and two year old classes. Jan is exceptional in all aspects of her work at Emmanuel. She is patient, loving, and always energetic with the children. She has excellent rapport with parents and is a wonderful liaison for them between home and school. Her understanding of the children and their needs are complete and intuitive. She is a sensitive and very responsible employee, who supports fellow teachers and completes all tasks associated with her job well. She has mentored university students and fellow teachers in developing appropriate programming and environments for very young children. It is a gift to be able to stimulate and love the very youngest children. Only the most special teachers are able to fill this roll on a daily basis with sustained enthusiasm and love for the children.
Pre-K/K	Rebecca Feaster 5276 Dorset Memphis, TN 38117 901-761-8064 feaster@k12th.net	Highlights of the nomination letter about Ms. Feaster include her willingness to attend workshops, and conferences and to keep abreast of new teaching strategies and then to share those with her colleagues. She brought Chicks-Chicka Boom-Boom to life in her classroom and in the process helped students make connections they might not have made otherwise. Ms. Fester demonstrates compassion by supplying clothing, lunch money or other resources for students who truly need them.
Elementary	Jacki Harris 610 Alexandria Drive Collierville, TN 38017 901-854-5421 harrisj4@ten-nash.ten.k12.tn.us	Highlights from the letter of recommendation about Ms. Harris mention her work with special needs children. She is a mentor teacher and a member of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools review team. The letter writer noted that Ms. Harris was the special education teacher of the year, and received recognition from First Lady Laura Bush for her work promoting reading. Ms. Harris was the Collierville, TN rotary teacher of the month – twice. The letter writer claims Ms. Harris is a ‘”teacheraholic”’.
Middle School	Barbara Rook Mumford Middle School 100 Education Avenue Munford, TN 38058 901-835-2047 school – 901-837-1700	Ms. Rook creates professional development sessions for teachers. She uses technology in her classroom and helps her students make connections to real life. She is an excellent mentor to student teachers.7
East Tennessee
Infant/Toddler	Jessica Compton 1819 Todd Dr. Johnson City, TN 37604. 423-229-7552 email address: ZJNK2@etsu.edu	Jessica Compton holds a Masters in Early Childhood Education and currently teaches toddlers at the Little Bucs Center at East Tennessee State University, and TECTA classes in Assessment and Evaluation at Northeast State Community College. She has been teaching toddlers for 3 years.
Elementary	Linda Dickinson 2021 Dilton Mankin Road Murfreesboro, TN 37127. 615-890-4920 email is ladikin@bellsouth.net.	Linda Dickerson teachers a 2-4 classroom in Jasper, TN and has been a teacher for 23 years.
Middle Tennessee
Infant/Toddler	Kris Delene	An elementary teacher for a number of years in Michigan, Kris Delene followed the sun to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands and for twenty years worked in the tourist and marina business. Returning to the States she began volunteer work in the Franklin Heights Even Start Program in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Receiving her Masters in Reading from Middle Tennessee State University in 2002 Ms Delene continued her volunteer work in Franklin Heights creating the Giving Library. The Giving Library, located at 317 C January Street in Franklin Heights, has approximately 3000 volumes for children. These books are obtained through donations and small grants, including the Wal*Mart Literacy Grant in 2002. The books are distributed free to children and adults in the neighborhood and at various community functions. Ms. Delene is also an active volunteer in the literacy initiative Read to Succeed and the Community Anti-Drug Coalition of Murfreesboro (CADCOM). She continues her grant writing efforts for the Giving Library and other community related projects.
PreK/K	Lisa Fox Kindergarten David Youree School 250 Todd Lane Smyrna, TN 37167	Lisa Fox's experience and commitment to teaching is exemplary. She has taught kindergarten for 13 years and preschool for 7. Her attitude toward the children demonstrates her caring personality. Lisa has the ability to make each child feel that they have her undivided attention. Lisa’s dedication to her Early Childhood profession is demonstrated through her application of developmentally appropriate teaching methods, and her playful attitude. She believes that childhood is a precious and critical time. She is very interested in brain research. Currently she is working toward a post-masters certification, and she applies her knowledge as she teaches the kindergarten curriculum.
Elementary	Michelle Tenpenny 1st grade Hobgood 307 S. Beard Lane Murfreesboro, TN 37132	Michelle Tenpenny is a first grade teacher at Hobgood Elementary in Murfreesboro. She is currently working toward her Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction at MTSU. Michelle is devoted to her first graders and is committed to building a positive learning community. She believes in the importance of play and insures this process as a natural part of young children's learning and development. Michelle is an exemplary role model in the teaching profession. She is dedicated to innovation and grounds her classroom practice in current research and best practices for children.
Middle Grades	Janie Reeder Thurman Francis School 221 Todd Lane Smyrna, TN 37167	Janie Reeder is a sixth grade social studies teacher at Thurman Francis Arts Academy in Smyrna, TN. She enhances her social studies lessons by using hands-on activities, dramatics and art activities. Mrs. Reeder volunteers her time to serve as Jr. Beta Club Sponsor. She is loved by her students and admired by colleagues.