West Tennessee Education Summit - Grand Opening
“Opening our Classrooms back up to our Colleagues, Communities, Colleges, and Commerce”
March 10, 2023, 8 a.m. – noon
West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center, 605 Airways Blvd., Jackson
8:00-8:30 Registration & Expo
8:30-9:00 Welcome & History
• Dr. Philip Acree-Cavalier, Interim Chancellor, The University of Tennessee at Martin
• Dave Bratcher, Senior VP, YMCA of West Tennessee, WestStar ‘12
• Bob Sparks, Jackson Central-Merry Early College High, Jackson, WestTeach ‘22
9:00-9:30 Personal Reflections on Education
• Tyreece Miller, U.S. Marshal-Western Division, Jackson
9:30-10:00 Blue Oval City Update
• Vanessa Presson, Human Resources Manager, Blue Oval City, WestStar ‘10
• Heath McMillian, Executive Vice President, TCAT Jackson (Blue Oval City campus)
10:00-10:45 Panel Discussion/Introductions – Legislators & Business Leaders
Moderator: Dr. Charley Deal, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, The University of Tennessee at Martin
• Mayor Craig Fitzhugh, City of Ripley
• Michael Overbey, Central Distributors, WestStar ‘16
• Jack Matthis, Partner, Alexander Thompson Arnold, PLLC, WestStar ‘13
10:45 Break – Expo
11:00-11:45 Panel Discussion/Introductions – Superintendents, Presidents and Teachers
Moderator: Dr. Charley Deal, Vice Chancellor of University Advancement, The University of Tennessee at Martin
• Dr. Ted Horrell, Superintendent of Lakeland School System
• Dr. Leah Watkins, Superintendent of Henry County Schools, WestStar ‘21-‘22
• Dr. Youlanda Jones, President, Northwest Tennessee College of Applied Technology, WestStar ‘05
• Tabias Hood, Tipton Rosemark Academy, Millington, WestTeach ‘22
• Ariell White, Anderson Early Childhood Center, Brownsville, WestTeach ‘22
11:45 Leaders Education Foundation
• Leigh Anne Bentley, Chief Marketing Officer, Leader Credit Union, WestStar ‘18
Noon Adjourn – Expo
Conference Mission:
Our purpose is to facilitate change in curriculum to enhance workforce development and opportunities for the students in West. Unfortunately, Covid hindered the gains that we had made in building the relationships to develop these opportunities with our colleagues, our community, our post-secondary educators, and our local industry. This summit will bring together educators, business leaders, school and district leaders, high school students, and legislators under one roof to showcase best practices already happening across West Tennessee and discuss changes within the classroom and ways to implement workforce development into Tennessee education.
SPONSORS
Leaders Education Foundation (Signature); Alexander Thompson Arnold PLLC; Security Bank, Dyersburg; SIC Project Management; TRANE Company; Cary & Lalania Vaughn; and West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation
