Two local teachers are among 31 selected for the 2019-20 class of the Tennessee Educator Fellowship through a competitive admissions process, the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) announced today.

SCORE President and CEO David Mansouri called the teachers talented and driven, and relentless advocates for improving student achievement through student-focused policies and practices. He added they “bring unique and diverse perspectives and experiences that are invaluable as they participate in local and state-level conversations about preparing all students for success in college, career and life.”

The fellowship is a yearlong program that equips teachers, school counselors, interventionists and librarians to learn about education policy and advocate for their students and their profession.

This represents the sixth year of the Tennessee Educator Fellowship. Fellows chosen for the 2019-20 cohort have a combined teaching experience of 358 years and represent elementary, middle and high schools in 26 districts across East, Middle and West Tennessee.

The local 2019-20 Tennessee Educator Fellows are:

• Billie Goldston, a reading interventionist for grades K-5 at Raymond S. Bowers Elementary School in Roane County. Goldston has been teaching for 18 years.
• April Moore, who teaches eighth-grade English language arts at Stone Elementary School in Cumberland County. Moore has been teaching for 21 years.

Throughout the upcoming year, the fellows will learn through in-person and online seminars and will serve as liaisons with their colleagues, communities and policymakers as Tennessee continues the work of improving academic achievement for all students.

The State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE) works with state, local and national partners to advance policies and practices for greater student success across Tennessee. It is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan advocacy and research institution, founded in 2009 by former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, M.D. SCORE measures success by the academic growth and achievement of Tennessee’s students. Learn more at tnscore.org.