PATSY MOORE, Ann Black Jennings, Ginny Pack, and Sheila Seay — each is considered somewhat royalty in the Tullahoma City School System, even if they don’t realize it. They spent decades molding young minds, sparking a love of reading and math, encouraging discipline when needed, and lifting fellow teachers. They are revered and remembered fondly for their years of service. Now in retirement, they are continuing those same heroic efforts because, after all, once a teacher, always a teacher.
These four women are part of a larger group of current and retired teachers who are members of Tennessee Phi, a part of Alpha Delta Kappa International Honorary Organization for Women Educators. The organization was launched in 1947 to recognize and support the professional efforts of outstanding women educators. Their mission is to empower women educators to advance inclusion, educational excellence, altruism, and world understanding. Today, more than 25,000 women educators worldwide have discovered the many opportunities provided by membership in the organization. These include opportunities to recognize their commitment to educational excellence and personal and professional growth and collectively channel their energies toward the good of their schools, communities, the teaching profession, and the world.
In Tullahoma, the group works diligently to support teachers and the community.
“We do a lot of things to help other teachers and to help the community as well,” said Moore. “Tullahoma Daycare is one we give books to through the Imagination Library. We support [Court Appointed Special Advocate] and provide them with Christmas gifts for children who are in transition, along with other projects through the organization.”
The organization also provides $100 to every new school teacher beginning their career with Tullahoma City Schools.
“We want teachers to know that we’ve been there, and we know how it is. We want to support them as much as possible,” said Moore.
Retired elementary teacher Ginny Pack, who joined the group in 2017, said she was unaware of how much assistance the association offered.
“I was visiting the chapter in 2016, and they gave a scholarship to a student who [was majoring in education and needed help with the last semester of college],” she explained. “I had taught her in kindergarten and had no idea she was struggling to finish her education. I’m happy to report that she did finish school, and I still keep in touch with her. People in the community do not know what we do, but we are glad to do it no matter what. Yes, you’re going to be out a few dollars, but every cent is well spent and helps to change lives.”
All of the funds raised through the chapter come from the members themselves. They do not solicit or ask for funds from the public.
The group meets several times a year for different events and welcomes current and retired teachers to join. According to Seay, it offers the ability to meet and connect with teachers — something you may have never had the opportunity to do.
“It’s a way to connect with fellow teachers after you retire or even while you’re still teaching,” she said. “You may know the teachers in your school, but getting to know other teachers in other schools is helpful. As a high school teacher, I didn’t know many elementary or middle school teachers. It’s a way to connect, encourage, and understand what everyone is experiencing in their classroom. After you retire, it’s a great way to keep in touch with other women teachers around the system.” GN
