Tennessee Department of Education Awards More Than $8.5 Million to 212 Grant Recipients for Summer Reading Programs
NASHVILLE—Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today that more than 11,000 students in 107 communities across the state will benefit from the 2017 Read to be Ready Summer Grant program, which funds educational camps that target rising first, second, and third graders who are not on grade level in reading during the critical summer months. In total, the department is awarding more than $8.5 million to 212 grant recipients throughout Tennessee.
This spring, the department received applications from nearly three-quarters of school districts across Tennessee for summer grant funding. The Tennessee Departments of Education and Human Services, with support from First Lady Crissy Haslam, have partnered to expand the Read to Be Ready Summer Grant program through an investment of $30 million over the next three years.
“Summer reading loss can have a significant impact on the academic progress made by our students during the school year,” Mrs. Haslam said. “These Read to Be Ready summer programs are an innovative and strategic approach to combating that summer slide and improving reading proficiency across the state.”
Read to be Ready is a coordinated campaign and approach to increase third grade reading proficiency in Tennessee to 75 percent by 2025 through a variety of initiatives. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the importance of reading, unite efforts to address low reading achievement, highlight best practices, and build partnerships. The Read to be Ready Summer Grant Program is designed to support students even after the last day of school, and results from the first year indicated for the nearly 600 students who participated, there were increases in their abilities to read fluently and decode words, increased phonemic awareness, and increased confidence and interest in reading.
“To reach our goals as a state, we know that our struggling readers need support beyond strong, daily classroom instruction for 180 days of the year,” McQueen said. “Read to be Ready summer programs help communities ensure our youngest learners are getting the targeted support they need year-round. Above all, we want students to develop the skills and abilities that will grow their motivation and confidence to become life-long readers and thinkers.”
To further support Read to be Ready, starting today McQueen and the First Lady are visiting elementary schools across the state as part of the commissioner’s Classroom Chronicles Tour. During these visits, they are hosting teacher roundtables focused on educators’ perspectives and experiences teaching literacy skills in the early grades. This spring, McQueen has been visiting schools that participate in the Read to be Ready Coaching Network, which supports elementary school teachers and helps them to provide strong instruction, and schools that participated in last summer’s reading grant program.
The full list of 2017 Read to be Ready summer grant recipients and local program directors is attached as well as available on thedepartment’s website. To find out more about the grants, visit the Read to be Ready website. For more information on Read to be Ready and the summer grant program, contact Paige Atchley, Read to be Ready program director, at Paige.Atchley@tn.gov. For media inquiries, contact Sara Gast at (615) 532-6260 or Sara.Gast@tn.gov.
District served by camp Program Director School (1) School (2) School (3)
Achievement School District (Kawika Chun) Aspire Coleman Aspire Hanley 1 Aspire Hanley 2
Achievement School District Craig Robinson Georgian Hills Achievement Elementary
Achievement School District Josh Shelley Libertas School of Memphis
Alamo City Jake Nichols Alamo City School
Alcoa City Michael Bradburn Alcoa Elementary School
Anderson County Emily Rishel Norwood Elementary School
Anderson
County Elizabeth Evans Grand Oaks
Elementary School
Athens City Jennifer Walker Ingleside School
Athens City Karessa Cunningham Westside
Elementary School
Bartlett Trudi Royston Bartlett Elementary
School
Bedford County Elizabeth Davis Thomas Magnet
Bledsoe County Kristy Shockley Pikeville Elementary
Mary V.
Wheeler
Elementary
Cecil B.
Rigsby
Elementary
Blount County Suzanne Costner
Rockford
Elementary and
Eagleton
Elementary
Bradford SSD Amy Dunn Bradford
Elementary School
Bradley County Erica Shamblin Charleston
Elementary School
Bristol City Michelle Poole Fairmount
Elementary School
Campbell
County Mike Miller White Oak
Campbell
County Tammie Davis Jellico Elementary
School
Cannon County Kathy Mullins Woodbury
Grammar School
Cheatham
County Tim Adkins East Cheatham
Elementary School
Cheatham
County Tim Adkins Ashland City
Elementary School
Cheatham
County Tim Adkins Pegram Elementary
School
Chester County Kim Scott East Chester
Elementary School
Claiborne
County Tom Hopkins
Tazewell New
Tazewell Primary
School
Clay County Emily Daniels Celina K8
Elementary School
Cleveland City Lisa Earby Donald P. Yates
Primary
Cleveland City Jessica Bigham Mayfield
Elementary
Cocke County Kathy Holt Centerview
Elementary School
Coffee County Robin Watkins New Union
Elementary
Hillsboro
Elementary
Coffee County Robin Watkins Hickerson
Elementary
Cumberland
County Tammy Stewart Pleasant Hill
Elementary School
Frank P.
Brown
Pine View
Elementary
Davidson County Electa Johns Bellshire Design
Center
Davidson County Meagan Smart Glencliff Elementary
Davidson County Iria Reyes Cole Elementary
Davidson County Jeanne Fain J.E. Moss
Elementary School
Davidson County Tia Tate Old Center
Elementary School
Davidson County Kelly Henderson Napier Elementary
School
Davidson County Kelly Henderson Inglewood
Elementary School
Davidson County Kelly Henderson Whitsitt Elementary
School
Davidson County Kelly Henderson Robert Churchwell
Elementary School
Davidson County Andrea Edwards Glenview
Elementary School
Davidson County Karen Woolridge Caldwell Enhanced
Option School
Decatur County Christee Clenney Parsons Elementary
Dickson County Mandy Roche Dickson Elementary
School
Dyer County Stephanie Johnson Newbern
Elementary School
Dyersburg City Jennifer Pruitt Dyersburg Primary
School
Elizabethton City Julie Hartsook East Side
Elementary
Fayetteville City Bridgette Jones Ralph Askins School
Fentress County Kristi Hall York Elementary
Franklin County Allison Dietz Decherd Elementary
School
Franklin County Barbara King Sewanee
Elementary School
Gibson County
SSD Margaret DeLoach Dyer School
Giles County Tina Smith Pulaski Elementary
School
Richland
Elementary
School
Grainger County Staci Gray
Rutledge
Elementary and
Washburn School
Washburn
School
Greene County Misty Mercer Mosheim
Elementary School
Greene County Julia Lamons Baileyton
Elementary School
Camp Creek
Elementary
School
McDonald
Elementary
School
Greene County Mary Kellner Doak Elementary
Greene County Amanda Carpenter Chuckey Elementary
Grundy County Suzan Richardson Coalmont
Elementary School
Pelham
Elementary
School
Swiss
Memorial
Elementary
School
Hamblen County Tony Dalton Fairview-Marguerite
Elementary
Hamilton County Robin Bambrey Hardy Elementary
Hamilton County Angela Sehstedt Hillcrest Elementary
Hamilton County Eileen Evers Orchard Knob
Elemetnary
Hamilton County Erin Grant Wolftever Creek
Elementary School
Hamilton County Tersheia Hayes Woodmore
Elementary School
Hancock County Jacklyn Bailey Hancock County
Elementary School
Hardin County Marsha Rains Northside
Elementary School
Hawkins County Carrie Smith Surgoinsville
Elementary
Joseph
Rogers
Primary
Mooresburg
Elementary
Hawkins County Crystala Cade Carter’s Valley
Elementary School
Hawkins County Angela Smith McPheeter’s Bend
Elementary School
Haywood
County Krista Parker
Brownsville Boys
and Girls Club for
Haywood
Elementary School
Henderson
County Renee Maynard Westover
Elementary
South
Haven
Elementary
Scotts Hill
Elementary
Henry County Felicia Bates Henry Elementary
School
Henry County Felicia Bates
Dorothy and Noble
Harrelson
Elementary School
Henry County Felicia Bates Lakewood
Elementary School
Hickman County Angie Manor East Hickman
Elementary School
Hollow Rock
-
Bruceton SSD Sandi Walden Central Elementary
School
Humboldt City Kristin Hardin East Elementary
School
Huntingdon SSD Christy Carey Huntingdon Primary
School
Jefferson County Susan Price Dandridge
Elementary School
Jefferson County Ragan Long Piedmont
Elementary School
Jefferson County Ron Overton Talbott Elementary
School
Jefferson County Leigh Daley Jefferson
Elementary School
Jefferson County Paige James Rush Strong School
Johnson County Angie Wills Roan Creek
Elementary
Mountain
City
Elementary
Kingsport City Jaclyn Clendenen Andrew Jackson
Elementary
Kingsport City Amy Doran Abraham Lincoln
Elementary
Knox County Beki Proffitt Lonsdale
Elementary School
Knox County Suzanne Parham Lonsdale
Elementary School
Knox County Haley Kesler
Sarah Moore
Greene Magnet
Academy
Lake County Mandy Norris Lara Kendall
Elementary
Lauderdale
County Jennifer Jordan Ripley Primary
School
Halls
Elementary
School
Lawrence
County Tammy Smith South Lawrence
Elementary School
Lawrence
County Abigail McKamey Ingram Sowell
Lawrence
County Beth Johnson Leoma Elementary
Lebanon SSD Penny Thompson Coles Ferry
Elementary
Lenoir City Wendy Jones Lenoir City
Elementary
Lexington City Julie Meyer Caywood
Elementary School
Lincoln County Jane Fisher Stone Bridge
Academy
Loudon County Staci Gibby Philadelphia
Elementary
Steekee
Elementary
Loudon County Donna Stapleton Loudon County
Elementary School
Madison County LaDonna Braswell Lincoln Elementary
School
Marion County Chrisie McClendon Jasper Elementary
School
Marion County Janet Layne Monteagle
Elementary
Marion County Jennifer Morrison South Pittsburg
Elementary School
Marion County Jennifer Smith Whitwell
Elementary School
Marshall County Rachel Rankin Marshall Elementary
School
Marshall County Carla Caldwell Cornersville
Elementary School
Maury County Olivia Smith Riverside
Elementary School
Maury County Cara Skaggs
McDowell, Highland
Park, Riverside, and
Brown Elementary
Maury County Jessica Vasquez Randolph Howell
Elementary
McKenzie SSD Tonya Brown McKenzie
Elementary School
McMinn County Jackie Martin Mountain View
Elementary School
McMinn County Annette Ray Calhoun Elementary
McMinn County Krista Burns Rogers Creek
Elementary School
McMinn County Penny Davis Englewood
Elementary School
Niota
Elementary
School
Riceville
Elementary
School
McMinn County Christy Elliott E.K. Baker
Elementary
McNairy County Linda George Selmer Elementary
School
Meigs County Amanda Pritchett Meigs Middle
School
Milan SSD Natalie Alexander Milan Elementary
School
Millington Mary Jones Millington
Elementary
Monroe County Missy Carter Rural Vale
Elementary School
Moore County Melissa Eslick Lynchburg
Elementary School
Morgan County James Pemberton Petros Joyner
School
Coalfield
School
Murfreesboro
City Caresa Dodson Hobgood
Elementary
John Pittard
Elementary
Murfreesboro
City Jenny Ortiz Bradley Academy
Oak Ridge City Amelia Bell Glenwood
Elementary
Oneida SSD Denise May Oneida Elementary
School
Paris SSD Olivia Smith Paris Elementary
School
Perry County Trena Graves Linden Elementary Lobelville
School
Pickett County Randy Garrett Pickett County K-8
Polk County Amy McAbee Benton Elementary, South Polk
Elementary
Copper Basin
Elementary
Putnam County Amber Spears Prescott South
Elementary School
Rhea County Brenda Hill Rhea Central
Elementary
Graysville
Elementary
Spring City
Elementary
Richard City Cindy Blevins Richard Hardy
Memorial School
Roane County Brenda Arwood Bowers Elementary
Roane County Alisha Thompson Midway Elementary
Robertson
County Megan Jamison Crestview
Elementary School
Rogersville City Missy Testerman Rogersville City
School
Rutherford
County Ashley Whitaker Kittrell Elementary
Rutherford
County Rachel Peay
Cornett
Christiana
Elementary School
Scott County Shona Boshears Fairview Elementary
School
Scott County Darlene Overton Robbins Elementary
School
Scott County Stacie Trammell Huntsville
Elementary
Scott County Emily Brooks Burchfield
Elementary School
Sequatchie
County Katelyn Weiner Griffith Elementary
Sevier County Jennifer Fox New Center
Elementary School
Sevier County Stacia Lewis Pi Beta Phi
Elementary
Shelby County Twana Goodrich
Power Center
Academy
Elementary School
Shelby County Deborah Thomas Willow Oaks
Elementary
Shelby County Effie Jenkins
-
Smith
Granville T. Woods
Academy of
Innovation
Shelby County Evelyn Smith Rozelle Elementary
Shelby County Audrey Gibson Cummings School
Shelby County Kamile McNeil
Memphis Business
Academy
Elementary
Smith County Jyl Smith Carthage
Elementary School
Smith County Laurie Glover Gordonsville
Elementary School
Sullivan County Selina Pendleton
Ketron Elem,
Sullivan Gardens K8,
Emmett Elementary
Emmett
Elementary
Sullivan
Gardens K8
Tipton County Bonnie Overland Crestview
Elementary
Trenton SSD Jamie Carr Trenton Elementary
School
Trousdale
County Deanna Zarichansky Trousdale County
Elementary School
Unicoi County Renee' Lingerfelt Love Chapel
Elementary
Union County Lauren Effler Luttrell Elementary
School
Maynardille
Elementary
School
Paulette
Elementary
School
Van Buren
County Kathy VanWinkle Spencer Elementary
School
Warren County Nicole Crouch West Elementary
School
Warren County Tamra Newby Morrison
Elementary School
Washington
County Angela Shelton Jonesborough
Elementary School
Wayne County Dana Keeton Frank Hughes
School
Collinwood
Elementary
School
Waynesboro
Elementary
School
Weakley County Honey Cantrell Dresden Elementary
School
Weakley County Jamie Doster Greenfield School
Weakley County Betsi Foster Martin Primary
School
West Carroll Co
SSD Jana Blount West Carroll
Elementary
White County Jaclyn Howard Woodland Park
Elementary
Williamson
County Suzanne King Westwood
Elementary School
Wilson County Shaunna Davis Rutland Elementary
Wilson County Tracy Hearn Watertown
Elementary School
Wilson County Melissa Zimmerman W. A. Wright
Elementary
