The Educator Advisory Council is a group of Tennessee educators who serve as a consulting body to help GELF determine the best resources to meet the literacy needs of K–3 students across Tennessee.
The primary responsibility of the Educator Advisory Council is to select the books that students and teachers from across the state are mailed through GELF’s K–3 Home Library program during the summer.
Through its K–3 Home Library program, GELF collaborates with Scholastic to mail high-quality, age-appropriate books to kindergarten through third grade students and teachers to combat learning loss and support learning in the home.
In Summer 2022, GELF mailed books to more than 160,000 students and teachers across Tennessee, and we anticipate serving more than 200,000 this year.
Thank you, thank you, thank you for allowing teachers to play a role in the book delivery program. This was such a rewarding experience that I’ll remember my entire career! Through this experience I gained knowledge and networked with the best educators across our state. Thank you for making this a memorable and meaningful opportunity.
Tennessee Educator
2021-2022 Educator Advisory Council Member
Executive Council 2022–2023
Alexis Wade, Chair
K–3 Reading Interventionist
Memphis Business Academy Elementary Charter
Shelby County Schools
Chris Dickerson
Kindergarten Teacher
Norman Binkley Elementary
Metro Nashville Public Schools
Lauren Effler
Pre K–12 Curriculum & Instruction Supervisor
Union County Schools
Christie Wimberley
Second Grade Teacher
Lakewood Elementary
Henry County Schools
Class of 2022–2023
Natalie Alexander
K–4 Resource Specialist
Milan Elementary
Milan Special School District
Angela Brown
Second Grade Teacher
City Park School
Athens City Schools
Lee Ann Butts
District Instructional Coach
Bedford County Schools
De’Shadrian Campbell
Kindergarten Teacher
Middleton Elementary
Hardeman County Schools
Tara Comerford
Third Grade Teacher
Westside Elementary
Athens City Schools
Jessica Drinnon
Kindergarten Teacher
Mooresburg Elementary
Hawkins County Schools
Rebekah “Bekah” Gibson
Kindergarten Teacher
Joppa Elementary
Grainger County Schools
Catina Jennings
First Grade Teacher
Coleman School
Journey Community Schools
Angie Manor
Literacy Coordinator
Hickman County Schools
Jenni Mason
Kindergarten Teacher
Sam Houston Elementary
Lebanon Special School District
Tracy McAbee
Director of Schools
Lewis County Schools
Meredith McMackins
Second Grade Teacher
Finley Elementary
Dyer County Schools
Misty Mercer
Literacy Specialist
Greene County Schools
Leah Murray
K–4 Reading Interventionist
Surgoinsville Elementary
Hawkins County Schools
Shanna Pierpoint
Second Grade Teacher
Lakewood Elementary
Henry County Schools
Regina Radencic
K–2 Special Education Teacher
A.H. Roberts Elementary
Overton County Schools
Mary Raines
Librarian/Media Specialist
Trousdale County Elementary
Trousdale County Schools
Michael Ramsey
Instructional Coach
Joppa Elementary
Grainger County Schools
Melisha Simmons
First Grade Teacher
Eastside Elementary
Warren County Schools
Katie Spears
PK–8 Librarian
Irving College Elementary
Warren County Schools
Angie Sybert
Second Grade Teacher
Ketron Elementary
Sullivan County Schools
Lily Watson
First Grade Teacher
Emmett Elementary
Sullivan County Schools
Lindsay Webster
Kindergarten Teacher
Compass Binghamton
Compass Community Schools
Megan Wing
K–2 Dean of Academics
East End Prep
Metro Nashville School District
I am excited to share the joy of literacy with thousands of young Tennesseans. Developing early literacy skills sets learners on a trajectory that will dictate the rest of their lives and I believe that the work of the Council helps lay this necessary foundation.
Chris Dickerson
Educator Advisory Council member
Kindergarten teacher at Metro-Nashville Public Schools.