Politics and Education Go Hand-in-Hand in Nashville

Jill Speering, teacher leader in Metro Nashville Public Schools, and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean can be very proud of their dedication to education. Their combined efforts have resulted in a $50,000 grant earmarked for Reading Recovery teacher leader training for 2009-2010.

Jill met Dean 2 years ago when he was a Nashville mayoral candidate. She didn’t know much about him but took the initiative to find out. Jill called Dean’s home, talked to his wife, and eventually talked with Dean in his office. She arranged for him to view a Reading Recovery lesson, winning his support in the process.

A relationship of mutual respect was established between the two, and Jill became a major factor in his campaign as head of her home area district. Jill worked tirelessly in support of Dean. It was a busy summer and a tight race, culminating in Jill writing a letter to the teachers’ union in support of Dean and gaining the union's endorsement. Education was at the forefront of Dean’s platform. Jill was one of the first to congratulate Dean on election night.

“Mayor Karl Dean is the most-passionate mayor we have ever had in Nashville," Jill said. "He genuinely cares that each child succeeds and under his leadership, education will greatly improve in Nashville."

Although Reading Recovery had received little local funding in the past, funding is increasing with the mayor's help. Mayor Dean viewed another Reading Recovery lesson after his election, and listened to teachers give testimony about Reading Recovery and what it has meant to them as educators.

Since then, Jill has met several times with the mayor about funding Reading Recovery. Dean contacted Dennis Alpert , Wal-Mart’s senior manager of public affairs in Tennessee. And even in this difficult economy, Alpert agreed to donate $50,000 for teacher leader training through the Nashville Alliance for Public Education.

“It's my hope that this donation will go far in assisting you and the Reading Recovery team with your mission,” Alpert said in an email to Jill.

A check was presented on January 20, when Alpert joined the mayor and Director of Schools Dr. Jesse Register to observe a Reading Recovery lesson and discuss with teachers and students the impact of Reading Recovery.

With the continued support of the mayor, Jill has written two additional grants and expects to receive all funds needed to train two teacher leaders for 2009-2010 at The Ohio State University.

“Jill is a great educator and a great advocate for Reading Recovery," Dean said. "I have had the opportunity to visit a Reading Recovery session twice with her. She is passionate about education and the overall role reading plays in our students’ abilities to learn. Working with her, we have been able to secure a generous donation from Wal-Mart for Nashville’s Reading Recovery program. I look forward to continuing to work with Jill as we strive to provide every student in Nashville the best education possible.”

Jill’s ability to work within the political system and identify education allies such as Mayor Dean is an example of how to make a difference in our children’s educations!