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.

K-3 Summer Reading logo, children of different ages reading outside school

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.