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Current Fellows

2021-2022 Fellows

 

 

Aileen Beeler – Union County Schools

Aileen Beeler is an Assistant Principal at Union County High School in Union County, Tennessee. Ms. Beeler has taught biology and general science, and has served as a Department Head. Early in her career, she worked as an outreach teacher at the East Tennessee Discovery Center.  Ms. Beeler is a member of the Leadership Team at UCHS, and has been a successful coach supporting student athletes in several sports. Aileen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science, and a Master of Science degree in Science Education both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.


Bobbie Bernard – Hawkins County Schools

Bobbie Bernard serves as a District-wide Instructional Reading Coach for the Hawkins County Schools. Prior to her current position, Ms. Bernard was a third-grade classroom teacher in the Hawkins County Schools for more than two decades. She was celebrated as the Hawkins County Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2014, and has served in a variety of leadership roles, including as a mentor teacher and on the district strategic planning committee. Bobbie earned a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Berea College, a Master’s degree in Education from Tusculum College, and an Education Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from East Tennessee State University.


Joshua Brannon – Lenoir City Schools

Joshua Brannon is the System-wide Special Education Coordinator for the Lenoir City Schools. Mr. Brannon has served as a Special Education Teacher and Case Manager at Lenoir City High School, and also as the Head Boys Basketball Coach. He previously worked as a Behavior Intervention Teacher and athletic coach in both the Loudon County Schools and the Knox County Schools. Josh graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

 


John Cochran – Anderson County Schools

John Cochran is an educator at the Clinch River Community School, a non-traditional school within the Anderson County school system. Mr. Cochran has taught 9th grade World History and 11th grade United States History for several years, and currently serves as the Director of Safety for the Clinch River Community School. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and a Master of Science degree in Secondary Social Studies Education, both from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.


Daphne Douglas – Anderson County Schools

Daphne Douglas teaches Information Technology as well as Digital Arts and Design at the Anderson County Career and Technical Education Center. She has served as a facilitator for the Tennessee Department of Education’s Occupational License New Teacher Training since 2016. Prior to her service in education, Ms. Douglas worked as Assistant to the General Manager at local television station WATE. Daphne has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as well as an Educational Specialist degree in E-Learning from Northcentral University.


Emily Gwinn – Jefferson County Schools

Emily Gwinn is an Assistant Principal at Maury Middle School in the Jefferson County school district. Prior to her current role in the Jefferson County Schools, Ms. Gwinn served for many years as a high school teacher and Instructional Facilitator in the Hamblen County Schools, where she was recognized multiple times as a teacher of the year. Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from Emory and Henry College, a Master of Education degree from Milligan College, and an Educational Specialist degree in Instructional Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.


Luronda Jennings – Hamilton County Schools

Luronda Jennings is the Dean of Students at Brainerd High School in the Hamilton County school district in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Prior to her role at Brainerd HS, Jennings distinguished herself as a district-wide Social Emotional Learning and Behavior Coach for the Hamilton County Schools, and as a district-wide lead teacher and exceptional educator at several schools within Hamilton County. Luronda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Ecology and Master of Education degree in Special Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, as well as a Doctor of Education degree in Leadership and Professional Practice from Trevecca Nazarene University.


Sara Leimkuhler – Kingsport City Schools

Sara Leimkuhler is Associate Principal at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School in Kingsport, Tennessee. She has taught Visual Arts, Digital Arts, and Multi-Media classes at several schools within the Kingsport City Schools and Sullivan County Schools. Sara holds a variety of certifications and micro-credentials in software, STEM, and instructional management. Ms. Leimkuhler earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, both from East Tennessee State University.   


Angela Merryman – Anderson County Schools

Angela “Hoppy” Merryman is the GEAR UP Tennessee College Access Grant Coordinator for the Anderson County Schools. Prior to her successful tenure as GEAR UP Coordinator, Hoppy served as a social studies and economics teacher, and as a Department Head in the Anderson County school system as well as in the Johnson City Schools. Ms. Merryman graduated from Carson Newman University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

 


Nathan Strayn – Blount County Schools

Nathan Strayn is an Assistant Principal at Eagleton Elementary School in Maryville, Tennessee. Prior to his current administrative position, Mr. Strayn served in a variety of instructional roles, including 7th grade social studies teacher and department and grade-level chair at Eagleton Middle School in the Blount County Schools, and Director and Lead Instructor at the Alpha School in Sevierville, Tennessee. Nathan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and a Master of Science degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.