postsecondary opportunities, TCASN supports such
efforts by connecting education and community leaders,
expanding and creating college access and success
programs, and promoting professional education and
information sharing.
Bob Obrohta, Executive Director
[email protected]
615.983.6847
Tennessee Education Research Alliance
vu.edu/TNEdResearchAlliance
The Tennessee Education Research Alliance (TERA) is
a unique research partnership committed to informing
Tennessee’s school improvement efforts with useful, timely,
and high-quality studies. TERA brings together policy
leadership of the Tennessee Department of Education
with the world-class expertise of Vanderbilt’s Peabody
College of Education to carry out research that drives the
state’s strategies for improving teaching and learning and
contributes to the national conversation on education
policy and practice. Priorities include improving early
reading, reimagining state support for professional learning,
driving improvement for low-performing schools, and
strengthening Tennessee’s education labor market.
Erin O’Hara, Director
[email protected]
615.322.5622
Tennessee Education Association
http://www.teateachers.org/
The Tennessee Education Association (TEA) is the state
affiliate of the National Education Association. As the state’s
l argest professional organization, the TEA represents over
46,000 elementary and secondary education teachers,
school administrators, education support professionals,
higher education faculty, and students preparing to
become teachers. The TEA’s stated mission is to promote,
advance, and protect public education, the education
profession, and the rights and interests of its members.
Carolyn Crowder, Executive Director
[email protected]
615.242.8392
Tennessee Independent Colleges and
Universities Association
http://www.ticua.org
The Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities
Association (TICUA) organizes Tennessee’s private colleges
and universities and encourages collaboration among
them in the areas of public policy, cost containment,
and professional development. TICUA has 34 member
institutions, which serve more than 75,000 students.
Claude Pressnell, President
[email protected]
615.242.6400
Tennessee Organization of School
Superintendents
http://www.tosstn.org
The Tennessee Organization of School Superintendents
(TOSS) promotes public education in Tennessee and
the advancement of the work and interest of the
superintendency. In addition, TOSS actively partners with
TDOE and other education agencies to provide for the
welfare of children and youth in the state of Tennessee.
Wayne Miller, Executive Director
[email protected]
615.254.1955
Tennessee Principals Association
www.tnprinassoc.org
The Tennessee Principals Association (TPA) is a
professional organization of current, former, and aspiring
school principals from across the state. TPA focuses on
professional development for its members and advocates
for the interests of principals, issues publications for its
members, and holds an annual conference.
Nancy Flatt Meador, Executive Director
[email protected]
423.794.6664
Tennessee Parent Teacher Association
http://tnpta.org
Drew Sutton, Government Relations
[email protected]
615.242.8392
39 | P U B L I C E D U C AT I O N I N T E N N ES S E E
The Tennessee Parent Teacher Association (PTA), a branch
of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, is a
non-profit organization that seeks to unite the advocates