December 2022 Leadership Links

Tennessee State Organization

Leadership Links December 2022
December From the Heart: The winter holidays are one of my most
favorite times of the year. I can’t quite tell you why, but I do know that I love
the chill in the air, the smells of pine, apple spice, and the sounds of joy and
love. I also adore the music of the season. Speaking of music, Nancy Davis,
Music Representative for the Educational Excellence Committee, will be
hosting Zoom Caroling on Friday, December 9, 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST.
What a wonderful way to share the holidays with TNSO ladies across the state.
Why not show up in your most sparkly holiday outfit, relax with your favorite
holiday beverage and cookie, and be ready to share a Christmas membership
moment. There may even be prizes. More information may be found under
Virtual Events. Please register for Zoom Caroling with the following link:
https://forms.gle/nLZQ4cvX5N9RZq2y5.

Good Tidings of Great Joy from the Nominations Committee

The Nominations Committee would like to present the proposed state officers for the 2023-2025
biennium as well as the elected committee members and Vision Foundation Directors. Please visit
the state website or use the following link, https://www.tndkg.org/2023-2025-nominations to find
photos of the slate of nominees.
2023-2025 State Officers
TNSO President, Marsha Brewer, Beta Upsilon
TNSO First Vice-President, Orlean Bauman, Alpha Rho
TNSO Second Vice-President, Terry Sharp, Zeta
TNSO Recording Secretary, Dr. Regina Henry, Beta
TNSO Corresponding Secretary, Chasity Ragsdale, Alpha Rho

2023-2027 State Nominations Committee

Beverly Smith, Alpha Xi, East
Dr. Beverly Hall-Maughan, Alpha Rho, Middle
Marsha Rains, Omega, West

2023-2027 Personnel Committee

Nancy Davis, Gamma Mu, East
Linda Prichard, Beta Epsilon, Middle
Dr. Kristy Sherrod, Theta, West

2023-2027 Vision Foundation Board of Directors

Amanda Pritchett, Gamma Zeta
Pat Parker, Beta Upsilon

2023-2027 Finance Committee

Dawn Viles, Beta Pi, East
Relva Lewis, Alpha Delta, Middle
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Nominations Committee
Most of the puzzle pieces are completed for the TNSO slate of nominees. However, there is still one
piece missing. Attention west Tennessee chapter presidents! The Nominations Committee is in need of a
representative from your area to serve on the state finance committee. If there is anyone in your chapter
you would recommend for this position, please contact Elaine Warwick at elainewarwick@att.net as soon
as possible. Let’s complete the puzzle before the New Year. Thanks!

Society Representative State Convention 2023

Guess who’s coming to the State Convention this summer. We still claim this
lady as one of Tennessee’s own even though she moved to Texas. The one and
only Nita Scott. More information on Nita will be available in the upcoming issues
of the Leadership Links and the DKG Tennessee News.

Inside International Monthly Zooms Hosted by International Leadership and Headquarters Staff
Tuesday, December 6 at 5:30 p.m. Central Time/6:30 p.m. Eastern Time
Did you know members are invited to join a monthly Zoom with international leadership and
headquarters staff? Look for the link in the rotating feature for “Inside International” on the home
page at www.dkg.org. The Zoom is held on the first Tuesday each month and will include greetings,
Question & Answer sessions, and general information brought to you by staff, administrative board,
and international committee members. Zoom will take place at 12:30 p.m. Central Time/1:30 p.m.
Eastern Time in January.

Important Time Dated Information for Chapters December, January, and February
(Most events may be found on the www.tndkg.org website under the Calendar.)

First Vice-President Marsha Brewer: Chapter Yearbooks Due December 15, 2022
The Tennessee State Chapter Yearbook Evaluation form and chapter yearbook is due
December 15, 2022. Please submit to Marsha Brewer gnash81@comcast.net for points
towards the Maycie Chapter Excellence Award. The updated templates for chapter yearbooks
and the evaluation form for 2022-2023 are now available on the tndkg.org website under
Resources/Chapter Forms and Reports. The template for the chapter yearbook is a guide only
and if a chapter would like to use a different form, that is totally acceptable. However, to
receive Maycie points, a chapter must submit the Chapter Yearbook and the Evaluation form
to Marsha Brewer at gnash81@comcast.net .

Vision Foundation: Applications for Grants and Awards Due December 31, 2022
The applications for Grants, Awards, and the rubrics for each may be found on the TNSO
website under the Vision Foundation tab. You may also click on the Calendar as well.
Would you or your chapter like to help TNSO educators conduct educational research and/or
special projects for their classroom and help send two TNSO educators to a workshop, seminar,
or professional meeting every year? You may contribute to the Vision Foundation. If you
would like to become a Visionary, mail your contribution to Dr. Dianne Anderson, TNSO
Treasurer or pay through venmo@dianne-anderson ($142.86 each month December through
June).
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The Board of the Vision Foundation is also extremely happy to announce the FIRST Diamond
Visionary ($10,000), Miss Doris Ann Hendrix. In honor of this tremendous contribution the
Board will now have two Professional Development Awards for $2000 each.

State Editor Michelle Steen: DKG Tennessee News February Information Due January 1, 2023
Michelle Steen is now accepting information for the February DKG Tennessee News. Articles
scheduled for the February edition include Proposed Officer/Vision Foundation/ Committee
Members (Nominations Committee), state convention information and state convention
registration form (Convention Steering), reminder regarding Maycie Award for Chapter
Excellence, request for Order of the Rose nominees, request for Rosebud Award nominees (all
Awards Committee), Mini-Mall registration for state convention (State First Vice-President),
article regarding Legislative Symposium, Prep-Rally, and Day on the Hill, photo and article
from Legislative Virtual Event (Legislative Committee), Communication Award reminder
(Communications and Marketing Committee), Chapter Strengthening article (Chapter
Strengthening Committee), chapter news (from any chapter who would like to submit), and In
Memoriam (Membership Committee). All editions of the DKG Tennessee News are available
for viewing at the state website, www.tndkg.org/ More. However, every member should receive
the November DKG Tennessee News and the February DKG Tennessee News in the mail. Why
not check out the DKG Tennessee News now by going to the state website. Please keep in mind
that the September and April editions are only available on-line. Chapter members, please print
a copy for your members who do not have the internet available. This might be a great time to
visit or call upon members in the chapter and take the printed edition to them. Please send any
questions to Michelle Steen, mnsteeneditor@gmail.com.

Planning Committee Due January 4, 2023 (Committee Chairs, State Officers, Related
Personnel)
The Planning Committee is charged with periodically contacting state committee chairs, state
officers, and related personnel to assess progress toward implementing our state Strategic Plan
(SP). In October President Elaine Vaughan and Planning Committee Chair Dovie Kimmins sent
committee chairs, state officers, and related personnel a personalized email with instructions for
reporting progress in carrying out pertinent portions of the plan, as well as instructions for
suggesting updates to the plan. This is just a reminder that the deadline for providing this
information is approaching. Please refer to the email for specific instructions and let Dovie
Kimmins know if you have questions.

Chapters Helping Chapters

Each month a successful practice from a chapter is featured. Don’t hesitate to brag on your chapter
or a chapter you have visited and in so doing share a practice that has worked well. Please send
successful practices to Chapter Strengthening Chair, Beverly Hall, (BNHOSA@msn.com). Make
sure you report the need that was being addressed, enough details of the practice that other chapters
could replicate it, and the results. Visit www.tndkg.org under Resources/Chapter Helping
Chapters Blog for past features. The Planning Committee will begin the New Year with a January
2023 Feature.

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State Executive Secretary Jenni Lusk: Membership Information Due January 30, 2023
Jenni Lusk, TNSO State Executive Secretary is beginning work on the 2023 TNSO
Directory. Chapter Presidents and Treasurers will be receiving an email with a list of the chapter
membership. Chapter Presidents/Treasurers please update information and emails for chapter
membership. It is pertinent that International and TNSO has correct information to keep members
informed. Please make the necessary corrections and additions to the document and return to Jenni
Lusk, jenni.luskdkg@gmail.com no later than January 30, 2023.

State Committee Information and News to Members

Many of the State Committees have exciting and important information to share for the upcoming
biennium. Please find news, links, and attachments to share with members. All forms, deadlines,
applications, and rubrics are also posted on the www.tndkg.org website.

President to Presidents Meetings 2:30 p.m. (CST)/3:30 p.m. EST: Next Meeting is Sunday, Dec. 18
President to President (P2P) meetings will occur virtually mostly every third Sunday
afternoon. Please save the following dates: Sundays, January 22 (note change in date),
February 19, March 19, April 16, May 21, June 25. All meeting times will occur at 2:30 p.m.
CST/3:30 p.m. EST. A Zoom link along with the agenda will be forthcoming about a week
before the meeting.

Virtual Events
If you or your chapter would like to present a virtual workshop, please contact TNSO President
Dr. Elaine Vaughan, mevaughan@ortn.edu at any time to schedule for the 2022-2023 year.
Please enjoy these virtual workshops with your chapter members, friends, and family members.

Recordings for Past Virtual Workshops (Virtual Workshop Recordings may also be found on the
tndkg.org website Resources/Virtual Events)
Vision Foundation Virtual Event
Facilitators: Vision Foundation Board of Directors
The Vision Foundation held a virtual workshop to assist with filling out the applications and
any questions a member may have on Vision Foundation Grants and Professional
Development Awards.
Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr1GYyAxmto

Virtual Everything Fall Instapot Event

Presenter: Sherrie Collins
Sherrie Collins, Tennessee’s own “Pioneer Woman” WOWED us with everything fall in the
Instapot cooking presentation.
Recording Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHIvuUhrpAA

December Virtual Event

Zoom Caroling Virtual Event
Presenter: Nancy Davis, Music Representative EEC
Friday, December 9, 7:00 p.m. CST/8:00 p.m. EST
Please join Nancy Davis, Music Representative for EEC, as she leads TNSO members in

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Singing Christmas carols. Nancy Davis and Donna Camper will also be featured soloists with
Kathy Smith, Harriet King, and Beth Naylor sharing a Christmas poem or reading. Come join
in on this festive event by showing up in your most sparkly holiday outfit, relax with your
favorite holiday beverage and cookie, and be ready to share a Christmas membership moment.
Registration Link: https://forms.gle/nLZQ4cvX5N9RZq2y5.

Tennessee State Scholarships: Due February 1, 2023

The Tennessee State Scholarship Application is now available, so members are encouraged to
start their application process. All parts of the application must be submitted electronically to
Donna Campbell campbelld1013@gmail.com no later than February 1, 2023, though earlier
submissions are more than welcome (please!). Applications may be found on the state
website under Resources/Scholarship and Grant Applications. Please contact a member of the
scholarship committee if you have questions.

State Projects: Due February 28, 2023

Tennessee State Organization 2022-2023 Essay Contest
The State Projects Committee is pleased to share the new 2022-23 essay prompts for our
Tennessee State Contest. Last year’s contest entries came from students across the state.
Approximately 20 DKG chapters sponsored these students. We hope to see even more chapters
involved this year! Share the prompts with schools in your areas and be sure that your chapter
recognizes any students you sponsor. Everyone can not be in the top three, but we want to
recognize students for their willingness to participate and encourage them to continue to
participate in the future.

This year we are adding an elementary prompt for students in grades 3-5. The prize money for
the elementary students will be $75.00 for 1st place, $50.00 for 2nd place, and $25.00 for 3rd
place. The timeframe for the elementary will be the same as for the middle and high school. To
find the prompts and other information for middle school, high school, and elementary school,
go to www.tndkg.org About Us/Essay Contest. The contact person of each sponsoring DKG
chapter should send essays and cover sheets to Fran Gregory, fehgregory@gmail.com by
February 28, 2023. Please send any questions to Fran Gregory, fehgregory@gmail.com .

Legislative Education and Legislation February and March 2023

Beginning in 1979, TNSO DKG has recognized the value of communicating directly with our
state and federal legislators, particularly in support of our students and teachers. Members of
the committee will host the Legislative Symposium in February and the Legislative Prep Rally
followed by the Day on the Hill in March.
Tentative dates for the Legislative Symposium, Prep Rally and Day on the Hill are the
following:
1. Virtual Legislative Symposium: Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. Central
Time/8:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
2. The Prep Rally will be an in-person event the night before the Day on the Hill. Tentative dates
are March 6th and 7th. Location TBD.
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Our state legislators appreciate our communications with them. Our participation is necessary as
we model effective participation to our students, schools, and communities. Please join the State
Legislative Committee as we keep moving forward “From the Heart”.

Legislative Due March 15, 2023

Legislative Award: The Legislative Committee is also offering the Legislative Award for the
2022-2023 year. The form may be found on the state website Resources/Chapter Forms & Reports.
Please submit form to Karla Mullins (kmullins55@gmail.com).

Achievement Award Due March 15, 2023

The Achievement Award Committee would like to receive applications from your chapters for
the 2023 outstanding members that you consider to be a wonderful choice for this year’s
Achievement Award. Applications are due March 15, 2023. You can find the application form
on the state website, www.tndkg.org, under Calendar Events. Be sure to follow the instructions
and send in your outstanding ladies for this top award. We look forward to reading about all of
the wonderful things our DKG ladies do to make our society the honored gathering of women
that it is.

Awards
The Awards Committee is pleased to announce that the Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence
(Due April 1, 2023), Order of the Rose, and Rosebud applications (Due March 15, 2023) are
all available now on the state website, www.tndkg.org, under Resources/Chapter Forms and
Reports.

The Awards Committee is looking forward to recognizing up to 12 ladies who have

contributed to their chapters, communities, state organization, and international with the Order
of the Rose Award, and one newer member, the Rosebud Award who is starting her journey of
contributing to her local, state, and potentially the international organization by demonstrating
excellence and involvement, with the Rosebud Award.

Good news! The Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence form is now available on excel and
allows for automatic calculation of points. Once the form is downloaded and saved,
calculations automatically take place correctly. A special shout out to Vikki Burns, on the
Awards Committee, who made this happen! A PDF version of the Maycie Award for Chapter
Excellence may also be downloaded and printed if the Excel version is not working.

Communications and Marketing Due March 15, 2023

Is your chapter working on Marketing Award points for the Maycie Chapter Excellence
Award for 2023? Remember that you can earn 10 points for two members completing all 15
Member Education Video modules (watching videos and answering activity sheet questions).
If four members complete all 15, your chapter earns 20 points, and of six members complete
all 15, your chapter earns 30 points. Any chapters who had an odd number of completions
from last year (only one member complete or one over an award category) will automatically
have a head start on the 2023 chapter award points. We have just updated the “International
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Officers” module including our own Dr. Beverly Hall as 2nd Vice President! All submissions
are due to DKG.member.edu@gmail.com or mailed to Dr. Elaine Alexander, 2811 Pavilion
Place, Murfreesboro, TN 37129.

First Vice-President Marsha Brewer Due March 15, 2023

Call for Workshops at State Convention
It is never too early to be thinking about presenting a workshop at the TNSO Convention in
Sewanee, Tennessee on June 2, 2023. We hope to be able to offer a variety of sessions that
will appeal to both active and retired teachers of all ages. Some recent suggestions from our
“Young DKG” members include making seasonal wreaths or arrangements, presentation by a
TEA representative, a legislative panel, a session on self-defense, and workshops/programs
dealing with social issues. Please offer your expertise on these or other relevant and creative
topics. The deadline for workshop proposals will be March 15, 2023, and the proposal form
can be found on www.tndkg.org under “Calendar”.

Historical Preservation Chapter History Submission Deadline March 15, 2023

The Historical Preservation Committee is now ready to receive a chapter’s history. A chapter
may include some or all the following. However, please also include stories or events that
may be unique to the chapter.

a. Date of chapter charter

b. Charter Members
c. Original chapter location (county)
d. Chapter presidents and presidential term
e. Honors or awards received
f. Chapter Scholarships or grants
g. Members served on International/State Committees or Offices
Chapters in Area I and Area II, or Area IV will send the chapter history to Judy Bailey Ogle
and Laura Ogle, judybaileyogle@gmail.com .
Chapters in Area III, Area V, or Area VI will send the chapter history to Jan Brown, Sandy
Brown, and Peggy Monroe, janubrown@aol.com or sbrown@davidsonacademy.com .
Chapters in Area VII, VIII, or IX will send the chapter history to Irene Archambault and
Kathy Kester, iarch@comcast.net .

Please email Irene Archambault and Kathy Kester, iarch@comcast.net with any questions
regarding chapter history. The committee is requesting that chapters try to limit the history to
two pages. Chapters will receive Maycie points for the chapter history.

Educational Excellence: Iris Award Due April 1, 2023.

The Tennessee State Educational Excellence Committee would like to announce an upcoming
award that will be instituted for chapter programs and projects. The "Iris Award" will be given
at the Tennessee State Convention to the chapter that submits the best program or project.
There will be an award in each of those categories. This award will be for chapters that submit
their program and/or project to the EEC Corner Spotlight and then complete an "Iris Award"
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application. The applications will be judged on the following criteria: Relationship to Society
Purposes, Involvement of Members, and Impact of the Program or Project. The EEC
committee has seen so many excellent programs and projects submitted to the EEC Corner
Spotlight and would like to see more recognition given to chapters in this area.

Keep those programs and projects coming for the EEC Corner Spotlight. Remember that you
can submit one program and/or one project for the 2023 Iris Award. The application is on the
website with the EEC Corner submission form. A program or project must have been submitted
to the EEC Corner Spotlight to be eligible.

The Educational Excellence Committee would like to encourage chapters to share your great
programs and projects to be uploaded to The EEC Corner on our state website. This is a
wonderful resource for all chapters seeking ideas for meaningful meetings and projects. We
would like to add a video component to The EEC Corner this biennium, so if you video your
presentations, or use YouTube, please submit those as well. The EEC is asking that you submit
one program and one project using the Corner Spotlight form found on the state website, EEC
Corner or Resources/Chapter Forms and Reports . Chapters will receive 5 points each for the
program and project on the Maycie Chapter Excellence Award. You can email your
contributions to: Marsha Brewer (Tennessee State Organization First VP and EEC Chair) at
gnash81@comcast.net .

From the EEC: Debut of the International EEC Newsletter

The International EEC Committee has created a newsletter called “The EEC Umbrella”, and
contains information on educator tips, recent activities, mentoring moments, global facts, EEC
Booklist, Featured Blogs and Articles, and International EEC Committee Member contact
information. To view the EEC Newsletter, look at pp. 14-15 or go to the state website,
www.tndkg.org, EEC. More information may also be found at www.dkg.org under Blogs and
EEC.

Bylaws and Rules Committee

Chapter Rules - Keep submitting Chapter Rules if your chapter rules were due in 2021-2022
and have not been submitted. Thank you to all the chapters who have so faithfully submitted
rules! Submit as soon as possible to Ann Gann adgann@comcast.net Please refer to the state
website www.tndkg.org /Resources/Bylaws and Rules for new lists of due dates for chapter
rules.

Proposed Amendments - The committee will continue reviewing international proposed

amendments that apply to state/chapter rules/bylaws. Thank you to committees and members
who submitted proposed amendments. The committee will be studying all submitted proposed
amendments, communicating with committees/members who submitted, and submitting
finalized proposed amendments for consideration by TNSO membership in the April issue of
the DKG NEWS. Any questions, please contact kbbenedict21@yahoo.com.

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Membership
Our time is running out on our project, Membership Moments. I hope you will take some time
out of one of your chapter meetings to ask members to write down one of their special Delta
Kappa Gamma moments. This would be a wonderful activity to begin or end a chapter meeting
by having members read their special Membership Moment.

The moment can be funny, sentimental, happy moment, a convention moment, a leadership
moment, a workshop moment, a friendship moment, a location moment, etc., etc. Members can
submit as many “moments” as they would like---the more the merrier!!

The Membership Committee is going to take the members’ moments and combine them in a
booklet to give to members at the 2023 state convention. We are so excited about this project and
want as many TNSO members to participate as possible. Please email/scan your chapter
moments to me (mjwilson1545@yahoo.com) or mail them to me (1180 East Irvin Drive,
Memphis, TN). I hope you will join my state committee in our project. We look forward to
receiving your chapter’s Membership Moments.

Member Opportunities and Discounts

Please look for Member Opportunities and Discounts on the state website under
Resources/Membership.

Special Events: 2022 Silent Auction Update

It is not too late to get credit on the 2023 Maycie Award for Chapter Excellence for a cash
donation of at least $25.00. Donations can be accepted until March 31, 2023. The Special Events
will be holding the Silent Auctions at the 2023 TNSO Convention. Please plan on attending.

President Elaine Vaughan and Chapter Strengthening Chair Beverly Hall-Maughan

Chapter Presidents/Treasurers, please join us in the “Reinstatement Campaign”. We are currently
working on the ‘pilot’ stage with 3 chapters. In a nutshell – we are reviewing all dropped
members from the chapter, completing a Form 18A for members who have died (instead of a
Form 6 which is for current members who pass away), then sending a letter encouraging members
to consider reinstatement. IF you would like to volunteer your chapter as a pilot chapter, please
contact Beverly Hall-Maughan for more information.

International News and Deadlines (In order to view some information, you might need to log in to
the International Website with your member I.D. number and password. You may always use the
chat if you are not sure how to log-in with your information.)

International Conferences for 2023

For information on the International Conferences in Detroit, Phoenix, and Finland, go to the
International website www.dkg.org, under Events. The TNSO will hold the Tennessee Event in
Phoenix, Arizona.

*DKG Publications: There are many articles and publications on the International Website
concerning current issues with regards to our DKG Society, education, just to mention a few. Use
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the link, https://www.dkg.org/PublicationsPrivate?WebsiteKey=f2a9f9b2-97e4-46ea-a2f2-

6b3771b0cb9d

*DKG Blogs: International Committees have Blog Spots. Interested? Check out the following:
http://dkgsi.blogspot.com/

Chapter Visits
I will be visiting several chapters during the month of January and plan to visit many more in the
future. I would love to visit your chapter. Just let me know when I may schedule a time with you.
New for 2022-2023: I will be spotlighting your chapter president when I come to visit.

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Christy Farless
Christy Farless is the president of Beta Theta Chapter located in McMinnville.
Beta Theta Chapter was founded in 1974 and serves DeKalb, Warren, and Van Buren
counties. Christy teaches 3rd Grade- ELA and social studies and has a13 year old
nephew, Elijah, that she spoils. Christy states that she is fortunate to have a wonderful
mother, brother, and sister in-law. She has been a member of DKG since 2006 and
has attended the convention in Sewanee twice.
Membership Moment: “I enjoy meeting with my Beta Theta members. Last year, we made
Christmas bows. It was a great activity that we could participate in for the upcoming Christmas
season. Also, one year we painted pumpkins. That was a lot of fun.”

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Jan Brown
Jan Brown is the president of Beta Chapter located in Nashville. Beta Chapter was
founded in 1937 and serves Davidson County. She is retired from the classroom,
but still substitutes at a private school. Jan taught at Chadwell Elementary
(Metro Nashville Public Schools) for 30 years--11 years in the classroom (K, 1st),
10 years doing small group reading, and 9 years being the library media specialist.
Jan is not married and lives with her sister and brother and 2 cats. She has been a
DKG member since 1997. Jan received a scholarship for her master's degree ($1250) and attended
the Beginning Leadership Seminar in September 2022; Jan has attended several state conventions
Membership Moment: “My mother, Jean Brown, was in Alpha Nu chapter. When I was growing up
and she came back from her DKG meetings, she always came in singing the phrase "Oh Delta Kappa
Gamma" from the DKG song. She was happy and smiling. It made me want to be a part of this
organization!”

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Rebecca Pearson
Rebecca Pearson is the president of Beta Upsilon Chapter located in Nashville.
Beta Upsilon Chapter was founded in 1981 and serves Davidson County
Rebecca has taught music for 28 years. She is married to Jeff and has one
beautiful daughter Jesse Grace who is a junior in high school. Jesse Grace
attends Donelson Christian Academy. Rebecca has been a member of DKG
since 2011. She was the Teacher of the Year in 2000, 2002 and 2013 and
received the Country Music Hall of Fame Music Teacher of Excellence Award

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in 2017. Rebecca was also awarded the Distinguished Service to Education by Beta Upsilon Chapter
in 2018.
Membership Moment: “My daughter Jesse was young when I started in Beta Upsilon. She
practically went to every meeting and would ask to go. Some of the time just to be with me, which
was wonderful, but mostly because she loved going and seeing all the ladies in the chapter. They
always made Jesse feel a part, and if she needed help in her subjects, well there were many teachers
to assist. I will always appreciate their kindness and understanding to us. That's just how my chapter
is... they are a loving and accepting group of wonderful educators that I am proud to serve.”

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Dr. Debra Smith and Sharon Crawford
Dr. Debra Smith and Sharon Crawford serve as co-presidents
of Alpha Nu Chapter located in Nashville. Alpha Nu Chapter
was founded in 1956 and serves Davidson County.

Dr. Debra Smith: Debra is a retired principal from Metro

Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) as the principal at Jones
Paideia Magnet School. However, she works 120 days as the
Interim Executive Principal at Haynes Middle School. Debra
Has one daughter, Maria Smith and has been a DKG member for seven years. Debra received the
Distinguished Service to Education Award in May of 2021. Debra also states that DKG is a great
society where everyone prays for each other and continues to learn from each other.
Membership Moment: “Dr. Battle, Director of MNPS, attended a Alpha Nu meeting and Debra
Watson eloquently informed all in attendance of the mission, vision, and purposes of DKG.”

Sharon Crawford: Sharon is a principal at Cane Ridge High School with the Art and
Communications Academy for 8 years. Prior to serving in administration, she taught special ed (K-
12), 7th grade math and 5th grade math and science. Sharon has three children, Christopher who is
34 years old and married to Ashley, Chelsea who is 32 years old and married to Jason, and Jacob
who is 24 years old. She also has three grandchildren, Gracelynn, Theodore, and Judah Daniel, who
all belong to Chelsea and Jason. Sharon has been a member of DKG since 2014. Sharon’s academy
was awarded model status two times and received the banner at the National NCAC convention in
November 2022. Sharon attended her first TNSO convention this past summer.
Membership Moment : “The honor of being asked to serve my chapter as Co-President and the
opportunities to attend many events has been amazing. I love being able to serve and meet so many
amazing women. I have learned so much from them.

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Nancy Grant and Elizabeth Bearden
Eta Chapter serves Montgomery and Stewart Counties and
was founded in 1938. Nancy Grant and Elizabeth Bearden
serve as the co-presidents of Eta Chapter.

Nancy Grant: Nancy is a retired teacher for 5 years. She

taught 6th grade and Title 1 Math for 14 years and then

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served as a principal for 33 years. Nancy is a widow with two daughters, four grandchildren, and one
great grandson. She has been a DKG member for 32 years and has attended the TNSO Convention
twice.
Membership Moment: “I was honored to be a member with Mrs. Anna Bell Darden.”
Elizabeth Bearden: Elizabeth has taught 1st grade for 14 years and served as a K-5 librarian for 16
years. She will retire at the end of December 2022. Elizabeth has two children and three
grandchildren. She has been a member of DKG for 13 years. This is Elizabeth’s second go around as
president of Eta Chapter. She served two terms a few years ago and now is serving as co-president
with her former principal.
Membership Moment: “My mother has been in DKG for many years and my daughter was given the
DKG scholarship her senior year in HS. I went to the meeting when she was awarded the scholarship
and was asked to join Eta Chapter and that’s when I started my DKG journey.”

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Carrie Daniels
Carrie Daniels is the president of Alpha Kappa Chapter. Alpha Kappa Chapter
was founded in 1955 and serves Rhea County. Carrie is a product of the Rhea
County school system in which she is currently employed. This is her sixth
year teaching. Carrie mainly teaches fourth grade math and really enjoys
being in a grade level that is departmentalized so she can teach/impact all
students in that grade level. Carrie has been married for twenty-four years,
and her and her husband have a 23-year-old son, Bradley. Carrie has been a DKG member for three
years and participated in the officer's training in Oak Ridge in April 2022. She looks forward to
attending the state convention this summer. Carrie is the first person on both sides of her family to
graduate high school, and she is the only family member to receive a bachelor's degree as well as a
master's degree.
Membership Moment: “I joined DKG for personal growth and to be recognized as a
distinguished/key woman educator. I enjoy networking with other educators because I truly believe
that iron sharpens iron and that we need one another. I can recall that I was extremely nervous for
my initiation ceremony. I wasn't sure what it consisted of, and I was afraid that it was some sort of
initiation like a college sorority.

Chapter President Focus and From the Heart with Laura Pearson
Laura Pearson is the president of Alpha Iota Chapter located in Rogersville. Alpha
Iota was founded in 1955 and serves Hawkins and Hancock Counties. Laura
taught high school English. She was the sponsor for the Future Teachers of America,
and chaperoned delegates to the Student Congress on Policies in Education (SCOPE)
Conference--a conference hosted by the Tennessee School Boards Association to bring
together 9th-12th grade students to discuss and debate current issues in education.
She also taught some college composition classes as an adjunct professor. Due to some
health issues, she stepped away from teaching a few years ago. Presently, she is
enjoying great health and being a stay-at-home mom! Laura is married to Alex Pearson, and they
have one daughter, Ella Grace, who is a little over 2 and a half years old. Ella Grace is smart, sweet,
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funny, and beautiful. Laura has been a DKG member since 2011. She has participated in the
Beginning Leadership Seminar and has attended several legislative symposiums and state
conventions. This is Laura’s second time serving as president.
Membership Moment: “In high school, our local DKG chapter gave an award at the local level for
the essay contest. I was the essay contest winner for our local DKG chapter--Alpha Iota. Later, I was
blessed with the opportunity to become a DKG member, which I have enjoyed abundantly, being
able to continue a fellowship with former teachers that I loved dearly.”
Membership Moment: “Mrs. Mildred Welch is a member of our DKG chapter, and she, of course,
went to many, many events. I was able to go on several trips with her and other chapter members,
and it was always the best time! First of all, we had such fun together, and secondly, Mrs. Welch
was DKG royalty and knew people everywhere, so all we had to do was follow closely, and we met
so many amazing people. It was an honor to be able to travel with her knowing how much time she
had invested in so many people and projects. It was a very special time.”

Thanks for All You Do!

2021-2023 Tennessee State Officer Team and Related Personnel

Dr. Elaine Vaughan, President mevaughan@ortn.edu
Marsha Brewer, First Vice-President
Orlean Bauman, Second Vice-President
Chasity Ragsdale, Recording Secretary
Amanda Pugh, Corresponding Secretary
Dr. Dianne Anderson, Treasurer
Dr. Kathie Harned, Parliamentarian
Jennifer Lusk, Executive Secretary
Michelle Steen, Editor
Sherrie Collins, Webmaster

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