Grants to Tennessee Colleges and Universities
Category One
Preparation of Paraprofessionals / Educational Assistants - Special Education Licensure Project
Eligibility: Individuals who are (1) presently employed in an approved Tennessee public or private school as an educational assistant; (2) serving students with disabilities; and (3) recommended by the Special Education Supervisor / Director. Persons meeting the eligibility criteria may be eligible for financial assistance in the form of tuition remission, and selected fees associated with the coursework leading to Tennessee teacher licensure in special education. Trainees must agree to teach in Tennessee following the completion of the training.
This training for paraprofessionals / educational assistants is offered by the following Universities and Colleges. For additional information, contact the persons named below:
| Bethel University | Cumberland University | Lee University |
|---|---|---|
| 325 Cherry Avenue | One Cumberland Square | 1120 North Ocoee Street P.O. Box 3450 |
| McKenzie TN 38201 | Lebanon, TN 37087 | Cleveland, TN 37320-3450 |
| Dr. Shannon Godwin – Division Chair | Dr. Charles Collier, Dean, School of Education and Public Service | Dr. Kimberly Moffett, Grant Coordinator |
| 731-352-4025 | 615-547-1310 | 423-614-8672 |
| godwins@bethelu.edu | ccollier@cumberland.edu | kmoffett@leeuniversity.edu |
| Dr. Shannon Godwin, Grant Coordinator | Karen Hobson, Assistant Grant Coordinator | Educational Assistant Project |
| 731-352-4025 | 615-547-1313 | Helen DeVos College of Education |
| khobson@cumberland.edu | Lee University | |
| Educational Assistant Project | Educational Assistant Project | 1120 North Ocoee Street, Office 212B |
| Department of Education | Cumberland University | 1120 Cleveland, TN 37320 |
| Bethel University | One Cumberland Square | P.O. Box 3450 |
| McKenzie, TN 38201 | Lebanon, TN 37087-3554 | Cleveland, TN 37320-3450 |
| 731-352-6407 |
Category Two
Category Two
Preparation of Special Educators/Special Education Teachers Seeking Special Education Degrees and/or Licensure
Eligibility: Individuals who are students, including freshmen, transfer, and post-baccalaureate candidates, who intend to complete course work leading to a degree in special education and/or Tennessee licensure in the area of special education, may be eligible for financial assistantships in the form of tuition remission, cost of books, and selected fees. Students who receive assistance under this program must agree to teach special education in a Tennessee school following the completion of the program.
The following Colleges and Universities offer training for persons seeking a degree in special education and/or Tennessee licensure in the area of special education. For additional information, contact the persons names below:
| Fisk University | LeMoyne-Owen College | Tennessee State University |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 17th Avenue, North | 807 Walker Avenue | 3500 John A. Merritt Boulevard |
| Nashville, TN 37208-3051 | Memphis, TN 38126 | Nashville, TN 37209-1561 |
| Mr. Richard Bowers, Head | Dr. Ralph Calhoun, Coordinator | Dr. Harold Mitchell, Head |
| Telephone: 615-329-8683 | Telephone: 901-774-9090, Ext. 576 | Telephone: 615-963-7009 |
| Fax: 901-942-6245 | Fax: 615-963-7119 | |
| E-mail: rbowers@fisk.edu | E-mail: ralph_calhoun@nile.loc.edu | E-mail: hmitchell@tnstate.edu |
| Area of Concentration/ Licensure: Special Education: Modified K-12 (Undergraduate) | Area of Concentration or Licensure: Special Education: Modified K-12 (Undergraduate) | Area of Concentration or Licensure: Special Education: Speech/Language Pre-K-12 (Undergraduate and Graduate) |
Category Three
Training for Special Educators / Special Education Teachers Who Have Been Issued Permits, Waivers and Interim Licenses
Eligibility: Persons who are currently employed as teachers or related services personnel (i.e., occupational therapist, school nurse, school psychologist, etc.) in an approved Tennessee public or private school, and (2) have been issued waivers, permits, or Interim Tennessee Teaching License may be eligible for the remission of costs for tuition, books, and fees. The coursework must address the deficiencies and lead to licensure in Tennessee in the area of Special Education. Trainees must agree to work in the Tennessee schools upon completion of the training.
The following Colleges and Universities have received special grants to provide special education coursework for students who meet the eligibility criteria. For additional information, contact the persons listed below:
| Special Education: Modified K-12 | Special Education: Modified K-12 | Special Education: Modified K-12 |
| Special Education: Comprehensive K-12 | Special Education: Comprehensive K-12 | |
| Special Education: Early Childhood Prek-3 | Special Education: Vision K-12 | |
| Contact: | Contact: | Contact |
| Dr. Lori Marks | Dr. Jim Calder | Dr. Judith Presley |
| ETSU B ox 70548 | P.O. Box 69 | 3500 John A. Merritt Blvd. |
| Johnson City, TN 37614-0548 | Murfreesboro, TN 37132 | Dept of Teaching & Learning |
| Telephone: 423-439-7901 | Telephone: 615-898-5016 | Nashville, TN 37209-3401 |
| Fax: 423-439-7790 | Fax: 615-898-5309 | Telephone: 615-963-5468 |
| E-mail: marks@etsu.edu | E-mail: jecalder@mtsu.edu | Facsimile: 615-963-7308 |
| E-mail: jpresley@tnstate.edu | ||
| Special Education: Modified K-12 | Special Education: Modified K-12 | Special Education: Modified K-12 |
| Special Education: Comprehensive K-12 | Special Education: Comprehensive, K-12 | |
| Special Education: Early Childhood PreK-1 | ||
| Cotact | Contact: | Contact |
| Dr. Helen T. Dainty | Dr. Barbara Ray | Dr. Cherry Watts |
| TTU Box 5074 | Department 4154 | UT Martin |
| Cookeville, TN 38505 | 615 McCallie Avenue | 205 H Gooch Hall |
| Telephone: 931-372-3116 | Chattanooga, TN 37403 | Martin, TN 38238 |
| Fax: 931-372-6620 | Telephone: 423-425-4538 | Telephone: 731-881-7212 |
| Email: hdainty@tntech.edu | Fax: 423-425-5380 | Fax: 731-881-7956 |
| E-mail: barbara.ray@utc.edu | Email: cwatts@utm.edu | |
| Special Education: Modified K-12 | Special Education: Modified K-12 | |
| Special Education: Comprehensive K-12 | Special Education: Comprehensive K-12 | |
| Special Education: Speech/Language PreK-12 | Special Education: Speech/Language, PreK-12 | |
| Contact: | Special Education: Hearing, K-12 | |
| Dr. Sandra Cooley | Claxton Complex A423 | |
| 413D Ball Hall | University of Tennessee | |
| University of Memphis | Knoxville, TN 37996-3400 | |
| Memphis, TN 38152 | Contact: | |
| Telephone: 901-678-2862 | Dr. Susan Benner | |
| Facsimile: 901-678-3881 | Telephone: 865-974-6228 | |
| E-mail: smcooley@memphis.edu | Facsimile: 865-974-8718 | |
| E-mail: sbenner@utk.edu | ||
| Dr. Jean Schindler | ||
| Telephone: 865-974-4167 | ||
| Facsimile: 865-974-8718 | ||
| E-mail: jschindler@uik.edu | ||
| Dr. Mike Hannum | ||
| Telephone: 865-974-4155 | ||
| Facsimile: 865-974-8718 | ||
| E-mail: mhannum@utk.edu |
S
Category Four
Become A Special Educator in Tennessee Teaching Program (BASE-TN Teaching Program)
Eligibility - The following priority groups have been established for the BASE-TN Teaching Program:
First priority shall be given to candidates with a Bachelor's degree or higher whose approved Plans of Study indicate intent to complete all remaining course work and other requirements for Tennessee licensure in an area of special education within 12 to 24 calendar months from effective date of original award. This first priority includes "career switchers" or persons with a major other than an area of special education who now seek to obtain Tennessee teaching licensure in an area of special education (e.g., persons who hold a degree in general psychology, English, or elementary education). The BASE-TN Teaching Program will provide financial support in the form of tuition remission and books to complete requirements leading to a Tennessee teaching license in an area of special education as reflected in each student’s Plan of Study.
Second priority shall include persons who (a) are currently working full-time as an educational assistant in a Tennessee approved public school, (b) have earned at least two years of transferable college credit in an area of special education, (c) are currently serving students with disabilities on a full-time basis, and (d) submit written intent to earn a Bachelor's degree in special education within a maximum of three calendar years. The BASE-TN Teaching Program will provide financial support in the form of tuition remission and books to complete graduation requirements leading to an initial Tennessee license in special education as reflected in each student’s Plan of Study.
The BASE-TN Teaching Program award entails a commitment to full-time teaching two years in a Tennessee public school for each year the award is received. The goal of the BASE-TN Teaching Program is to help increase the number of properly licensed Tennessee teachers serving students with disabilities in Tennessee public schools.
The following Tennessee colleges and universities have received grants to provide BASE-TN Teaching Program assistantships and fellowships to students who meet the eligibility criteria. Persons interested in applying for a BASE-TN Teaching Program assistantship or fellowship should contact the representatives named below. (For a copy of the BASE-TN Guidelines and general application form, go to www.tn.gov/education/base-tn/ or www.tn.gov/education/speced/ and click on "BASE-TN Teaching Program." Note: The completed application should be returned to one of the representatives named below according to the deadlines shown.)
| Name / E-Mail Address | University | Address | City/ State / Zip | TEL / FAX | Application Due Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR. K. CHARLES COLLIER ccollier@cumberland.edu |
Cumberland University | School of Education One Cumberland Square |
Lebanon, TN 37087 | 615-444-2562, Ext 1110 615-444-2569 |
08-16-04 (Fall) 12-10-04 (Spr/Sum) |
| DR. DEBBIE THOMAS dthomas@fisk.edu |
Fisk University | 1000 17 th Avenue North | Nashville, TN 37208-3051 |
615-329-8745 615-329-8802 |
08-01-04 (Fall) 11-01-04 (Spr/Sum) |
| MR. RICHARD BOWERS rbowers@fisk.edu |
Fisk University | 1000 17 th Avenue North | Nashville, TN 37208-3051 | 615-329-8683 615-329-8802 |
|
| DR. RALPH CALHOUN ralph_calhoun@nile.loc.edu |
LeMoyne-Owen College |
807 Walker Avenue | Memphis, TN 38126-9989 | 901-774-9090, Ext 576 901-942-6233 |
08-01-04 (Fall) 11-15-04 (Spr/Sum) |
| DR. JAMES P. TAKONA | LeMoyne-Owen College | 807 Walker Avenue | Memphis, TN 38126-9989 | 901-942-7369 | |
| DR. BELLA HIGDON behigdon@mtsu.edu |
Middle TN State University | P.O. Box 69 | Murfreesboro, TN 37132 | 615-898-5016 615-898-5309 |
08-01-04 (Fall) 10-15-04 (Spr/Sum) |
| DR. SHERRI TRENT shtrent@mtsu.edu |
Middle TN State University | P.O. Box 531 | Murfreesboro, TN 37132 | 615-898-2628 615-898-5309 |
|
| DR. TOM WILLIS twillis@tntech.edu |
TN Technological University | Box 5074 | Cookeville, TN 38505 | 931-372-3558 931-372-6270 |
07-19-04 (Fall) 12-06-04 (Spring) 04-26-05 (Summer) |
| DR. BARBARA RAY barbara-ray@utc.edu |
University of TN - Chattanooga | 615 McCallie Avenue | Chattanooga, TN 37403 | 423-425-4538 423-425-5380 |
08-12-04 (Fall) 12-01-04 (Spring) |
| DR. MIKE HANNUM mhannum@utk.edu |
University of TN - Knoxville | Claxton Complex A423 | Knoxville, TN 37996-3400 | 865-974-4155 865-974-8718 |
08-13-04 (Fall) 11-19-04 (Spring) 05-06-05 (Summer) |
| DR. SANDRA COOLEY-NICHOLS smcooley@memphis.edu |
University of Memphis | 413D Ball Hall | Memphis, TN 38152 | 901-678-2862 901-678-3881 |
07-31-04 (Fall) 10-31-04 (Spr/Sum) |
Governor Bill Haslam
