TN.gov Newsroom

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Education today announced the 2010-2011 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) policy for free and reduced price meals for children in Tennessee’s schools. The USDA’s school meals programs help ensure all students have access to a nutritious diet.

“Healthy, nutritious meals are the fuel our children need to be successful and improve their learning opportunities,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “Research indicates eating habits affect learning, so we know a hungry child has difficulties learning. We want to ensure all our children start out on the right path to college and a career.”

NASHVILLE – Education Commissioner Timothy Webb today announced the appointment of Bruce Opie to the position of Deputy Commissioner of Education. Mr. Opie joined the Department in 1985 and most recently served as the Department’s Assistant Commissioner for Legislation and Policy. As Deputy Commissioner he will oversee implementation of state education funding of local school systems.

NASHVILLE - Commissioner of Health Susan R. Cooper, MSN, RN, announced today the addition of new sections for young people and their teachers on the Get Fit Tennessee website www.getfittn.com/kids to help the next generation of Tennesseans get fit. The new site presents fitness and nutrition information for middle school students with bold graphics and engaging activities. Interactive games and trivia encourage kids to learn more about nutrition, proper portion sizes and new ways to move more throughout the day.

NASHVILLE – An engineer, a chemist and a math tutor are among the group of 27 individuals making a commitment this summer to become a teacher through the Tennessee Department of Education’s Teach Tennessee “Commissioner’s Fellows”program. Teach Tennessee is a statewide transitional licensure program created by Governor Phil Bredesen that addresses the need for classroom teachers by challenging mid-career professionals, retirees and others to teach.

Beat the Back-to-School Rush, Get Children Current on Vaccinations

NASHVILLE – Parents of children enrolling in child care, pre-school, Kindergarten and 7th grade should make plans now to be sure their children are up to date with their immunizations, if they haven’t already. Pediatric practices and county health department clinics expect to be busy all summer providing the vaccines and certificates necessary to meet the new immunization requirements that went into effect on July 1.

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education is proud to announce the finalists for the 2011 Tennessee Teacher of the Year Award. The nine finalists are comprised of elementary, middle and high school educators from each grand division of the state. Grand Division winners and Teacher of the Year will be chosen from this group this fall.

“I am very proud to have such outstanding teachers in this state,” Education Commissioner Timothy Webb said. “These teachers were instrumental in implementing the Tennessee Diploma Project this year and are examples of the kind of support we will need to successfully implement our Race to the Top efforts statewide. Teacher of the Year is about just one teacher, but I want to thank all of our teachers for the tremendous work in ensuring the success of every single Tennessee student.” 

Education Commissinoer Timothy Webb receiving USDLA award

NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Education today is proud to announce the United States Distance Learning Association has recognized Education Commissioner Timothy Webb for outstanding leadership by an individual in the field of online technology in Pre-K through 12th-grade education.